German Bayonet (WW I) - "S" type guard, brass handle for Mauser (possibly Model 1871) rifle. It is marked "Erfurt" with a crown above. On the other side is stamped "Gebr. ????????sberg Solingen" possibly "Weyersberg Solingen" POSSIBLY THIS BAYONET?? This model was the very first of the German 'Imperial era' bayonets, and was originally issued with the Infanterie-Gewehr M1871 rifle featuring the single shot Mauser action. This rifle was well and truly obsolete by the time of WW I, however the bayonets continued in service with second-line and Landwehr troops, where they were fitted to the Gewehr M1888. They may also have been issued to some front-line regiments very early on in the war but I am not certain of this.