Saxon M1871 Seitengewehr Bayonet Regt 101 with Leather Scabbard

This is an original Royal Saxon Infanterie-Seitengewehr M1871, or Model 1871 infantry sidearm bayonet, complete with its period black leather and brass-mounted scabbard. Adopted in the early years of the newly formed German Empire, the M1871 was the standard long infantry bayonet associated with the Gewehr 71 rifle and represents the first broadly standardized infantry sidearm of the Imperial period.

The bayonet is fitted with the characteristic substantial brass hilt of the M1871 pattern. The grip is gently curved and deeply ribbed along its outer face, terminating in a rounded pommel. The brass crossguard extends into opposing curled quillons, with the muzzle-ring and locking arrangement incorporated into the hilt for attachment to the rifle. A small crowned inspection or acceptance stamp is visible at the end of one quillon. The brass has developed a deep, naturally aged golden-brown patina with scattered darker oxidation, handling marks, and wear consistent with long military service.

Of particular interest are the clearly struck regimental issue markings on the crossguard. The principal marking reads:

“101.R.4.55.”

This identifies the bayonet with Grenadier-Regiment “Kaiser Wilhelm, König von Preußen” (2. Königlich Sächsisches) Nr. 101, specifically the 4th Kompanie, weapon number 55. In English, this is the 2nd Royal Saxon Grenadier Regiment “Kaiser Wilhelm, King of Prussia” No. 101, 4th Company, weapon number 55.

The regiment was among the oldest and most prestigious formations of the Royal Saxon Army. Its lineage reached back to 1670, and following the military reorganization of Saxony after 1866 it became the 2. Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 101. In 1868 the regiment received Wilhelm I, King of Prussia, as its regimental chief, and after the proclamation of the German Empire in 1871 it bore the expanded title “Kaiser Wilhelm, König von Preußen.” Garrisoned in Dresden, it formed part of the XII. Royal Saxon Army Corps and carried a particularly strong dynastic and ceremonial identity within the Saxon contingent of the Imperial German Army. 

An additional number “378” is present on the crossguard. Its precise administrative meaning cannot be established from the visible marking alone, and it is therefore retained in the catalog record without speculative attribution.

The steel blade is the long, broad M1871 infantry pattern with a single cutting edge and gently curving point. The blade remains substantially complete and straight, showing extensive honest age and service wear including scattered dark spotting, oxidation, gray toning, scratches, and areas of old surface staining. No maker’s name or dated spine marking is clearly visible in the areas examined, so the blade is not attributed to a specific Solingen or Suhl manufacturer.

The accompanying scabbard is constructed of black leather with brass throat and brass drag. The leather body retains its original stitched construction and displays significant age crazing, surface cracking, rubbing, and scattered losses to the black finish. The brass mounts match the hilt well in their naturally aged patina and show normal scratches and handling wear. The scabbard remains complete and provides the correct period form for the M1871 Seitengewehr.

The scabbard carries its own important Royal Saxon unit marking:

“104.R.5.126.”

This identifies the scabbard with Infanterie-Regiment “Kronprinz” (5. Königlich Sächsisches) Nr. 104, 5th Kompanie, weapon number 126. In English, this is the 5th Royal Saxon Infantry Regiment “Crown Prince” No. 104, 5th Company, weapon number 126.

Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 104 was another historic Saxon formation, with roots extending to the beginning of the eighteenth century. Following the 1867 reorganization it became the 5. Royal Saxon Infantry Regiment Nr. 104 and was garrisoned in Chemnitz. From 1903 it carried the honorary title “Kronprinz,” or “Crown Prince.” 

Because the bayonet is marked to Regiment 101 and the scabbard to Regiment 104, the two components are not a matching-number military issue set. This is important and should be understood as part of the artifact’s service and collecting history rather than obscured. Both components, however, are genuine Royal Saxon military issue pieces, and the presence of two separately identifiable Saxon regiments gives the set considerable research interest.

The M1871 Seitengewehr was adopted alongside the Gewehr 71 after German military standardization in the early 1870s. Its heavy brass grip, long blade, distinctive crossguard, and leather scabbard reflect the transition from the sidearm traditions of the individual German states to the increasingly standardized equipment of the Kaiserreich. Period references describe the model as being issued broadly to infantry formations, with later examples continuing in secondary and reserve service even after newer bayonet patterns entered use. 

Condition is good and entirely honest for a heavily issued nineteenth-century military sidearm. The brass hilt retains strong form and all major fittings, with deep age toning and service wear. The blade shows widespread spotting, staining, and light oxidation but remains complete and structurally sound. The leather scabbard is complete but clearly aged, with substantial cracking and finish loss, especially near the throat and along the body. The brass scabbard fittings remain present. No attempt has been made to polish away the aged surfaces or artificially improve the appearance.

From a collector standpoint, the strongest feature of this example is its dual Royal Saxon regimental history. M1871 bayonets are encountered with some regularity, but clearly legible issue markings to the distinguished Saxon Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 101 are particularly appealing, while the accompanying Regiment Nr. 104 scabbard adds a second documented Saxon unit association. The mismatch prevents it from carrying the premium of a fully matching regimentally numbered set, but its completeness, strong markings, original brass and leather construction, and direct connection to two historic Saxon regiments make it an attractive representative example of early Imperial German infantry equipment.