Germany, Imperial. An M1871 Seitengewehr Bayonet, by A & A Schnitzler of Solingen, Manufactured in 1875

This bayonet features a 465 mm long steel blade, magnetic, incorporating a semi-sharp blade and a dull tip, the fuller running two-thirds of the length of the bayonet on both sides, with two sets of marks appearing on the spine beside the crossguard: marked with a "W" surmounted by a crown (Kaiser Wilhelm I of Imperial Germany), with "75" (1875) below the monogram and marked with a Gothic script "W" surmounted by a crown (Kaiser Wilhelm I of Prussia), along with being maker marked "A & A . SCHNITZLER / SOLINGEN" on the reverse ricasso. The blade is embedded into the heavy steel crossguard that is designed with both an upward-facing and a downward facing quillon, the reverse of the crossguard regimental marked "103.R.R.372.", the handle in brass with an angular ruled grip, with a rivet placed near the crossguard and a screw placed in the middle, the pommel with knob and mortise slot to receive the rifle, with two crowned monograms stamped beside the knob but are not well defined, the bayonet measuring 595 mm in length overall. The bayonet is housed in its black-finished leather scabbard, the locket and chape in bronze, the end point finished in a ball finial, the locket incorporating a large frog stud on the obverse and is likely stamped with the same regimental mark as that used on the crossguard, as was the tradition, however it is obscured by the very tight fitting frog, the scabbard measuring 485 mm in length. The frog with a dark green web design, two wide straps securing the frog tightly in place, the base strap with narrow strap at the top and bearing a bronze snap, the frog measuring 195 mm in length. The blade exhibits scratches overall, common to extraction and return to the scabbard, surface rust present on both the blade and the crossguard, contact marks on the handle, the leather on the scabbard exhibiting soiling, the chape with green oxidation and having separated from the body, the frog soiled and original to the piece as evidenced as to how tight it is versus the scabbard. Fair.