German Model 1871 Bayonet

Here’s the Model 1871 bayonet for my previously posted 1871 Mauser.

The blade is over 18 inches (about 46 cm) long and marked with the manufacturer’s name Clemen & Jung. The spine is marked crown/W/75, indicating it was initially accepted for service during the reign of Emperor Wilhelm I (Kaiser Bill’s granddad) in 1875. I used to know what the gothic C beneath stood for, but I just can’t recall and I can’t find it in my references.

The bayonet and scabbard are both stamped 97.R.9.87 with the R in script. This deciphers as the 97th Reserve infantry regiment, 9th Company, bayonet number 87. This unit was activated at the outbreak of WWI, and at that point the bayonet was likely used with the later 1888 commission rifle, which it also fit. There is also a previous regiment that has been marked out beneath the aforesaid markings, but I can’t make out the regiment number. The scabbard also has the crown “O” for King Otto of Bavaria (1886-1913) so this bayonet and scabbard has seen quite a bit of service between when it was made and WWI.