*SOLD* Weyersberg & Kirschbaum Argentine M1891 Bayonet *MATCHING SERIAL SCABBARD*

Bryant Ridge's Analysis

This example features the matching serial number R6123 on the bayonet and the scabbard. Other markings are This bayonet was designed to fit the Modelo Argentino 1891 Mauser Infantry Rifle, manufactured in Germany under contract. Most of these bayonets - if not all - were manufactured by Weyersberg, Kirschbaum, and Cie. (company). They are extremely well made and are usually found in very good to excellent condition. It is usually found with an aluminum hilt - although some are found with brass hilts (* indicating "Navy" usage) - steel crossguard, and hooked "blade-breaker" quillon. The latching mechanism is of the push-button/internal-spring type. The blades are straight, single-edged, and fullered on both sides. The blades are usually stamped - on the ricasso - with Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie / Solingen on one side, while on the other is the Argentine Crest (this is usually ground off when released from the arsenal as surplus wares) and Modelo Argentino 1891. The scabbards are made of sheet-rolled steel and ball finial and usually have a dark "blued" finish (almost black).

Both bayonet and scabbard are stamped with a serial number, beginning with an alpha-character prefix, followed by a 4-digit number. It is desired by collectors that both bayonet and scabbard numbers match; otherwise they are considered mis-matched. The alpha character indicates the ten-thousand unit, presumed in order from A to Z. The alpha character A represents the first ten thousand, so all serial numbers beginning with A are from the first 10,000 of a production order. This would be followed by a B, then C, and so on and so forth through the alphabet. A9785 would indicate bayonet number 9,785; B9785 would indicate bayonet number 19,785. It is also presumed that serial number A0001 would indicate bayonet number 0001; serial number A0000 would indicate bayonet number 10,000. When single alpha-characters are exhausted, production prefixes change to double alpha-character prefixes, such as: AA, BB, CC and so on. These were superseded by the Model 1909 Mauser Sword Bayonet (very similar but a little larger and with wood grips).

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