German Mauser M1871 Bayonet, 35th Reserve Infantry Regiment, dated 1874 by Gebr. Weyersberg
Single fullered, spear pointed blade. Steel hilt with forward upper quillon atop the muzzle ring and reverse lower quillon. Brass grip with beaked pommel, steel external leaf spring for the locking mechanism. Black leather scabbard with brass fittings at the throat and chape. Blade 18½ inches in length, the bayonet 23½ inches overall.
The hilt is stamped with the unit mark ‘35.R.3.115’, indicating that it belonged with rifle number 115 of the 3rd Company, 35th Reserve Infantry Regiment. The throat piece of the scabbard is stamped with the unit mark ‘35.R._.30’, a close match to the bayonet, belonging to rifle 30 of an unknown company of the 35th Infantry Regiment.
The blade is stamped at the ricasso on one side with the maker’s mark ‘GEBR WEYERSBERG SOLINGEN’, indicating Gebruder Weyersberg (Weyersberg Brothers) based in the city of Solingen. The spine of the blade is stamped with a crown and ‘W74’, indicating that it was manufactured in 1874 during the reign of Wilhelm I, as well as a crown acceptance stamp. The belly of the blade is stamped at the ricasso with ‘1’.
The top of the hilt next to the lower quillon is stamped with a crown inspection mark, as is the exposed tang, and the pommel is stamped with two more next to the locking button. The mouth of the scabbard is stamped on either side with crown inspection marks. The chape piece is stamped next to the staple on one side with ‘H’.
The blade has been previously repolished with a few patches of cleaned pitting and polishing marks overall. The hilt and grip have a few small dents and only a few small spots of patination. The scabbard leather has some rubbing and scattered dents, its stitching is all intact. Light dents to the scabbard fittings which do not interfere with smooth sheathing and drawing.