As nations evolve, so do their means of battle and weapons. The weaponry of age and a nation reflects the wielder of the weapon. Bayonets have been the weapons of choice for militaries around the globe ever since the firearms were invented. It can be termed as man’s love for a sharp blade before that of firearms. These blades mounted on or in the barrel of the gun has the potential for quite some damage in various situations. They are of many different types, specifically based on their position on the gun as well as their point of origin. Every time period and geographical zone had their own interpretation. These types are explained below.
Plug Bayonets
Originated in the early 1600s in China, the plug bayonet is called as such for its ability to be plugged inside the barrel of the gun. It is particularly useful in instances when gunpowder and other ballistic ammunition has depleted in a firefight. The blade and the gun combined to make a spear-like weapon that can be used to fend off enemies in close-quarter combat. However, this can only be used if there is no opportunity for reloading ammunition. This is because plugging it in and out repeatedly could be a deadly chore.
Socket Bayonets
Socket bayonets are the products of the 1690s as the plug variants caused the loss of many battles back then. Soldiers would lose precious time in attaching the blades while the enemy was free to take advantage of the lag in the offense. These guns had a special blade socket under or over the barrel. This allowed the soldier to fire and reload the gun while using the blade.
Sword Bayonets
This was the first double-bladed variation in history. The sword was attached under the barrel and could be used not only as a blocking and stabbing armament but also for slashing and maiming. This concept was introduced in the early 1800s. However, these ran out of vogue in the 1850s.
Versatile or Multipurpose Bayonets
Weapons like these bladed guns evolved to serve multiple purposes. One of these variations was including saw-tooth like protrusion for survival purposes. It was meant for cutting down trees for fuel as well as slaughtering animals for food. Similarly, the trowel bayonet was a multipurpose tool used for offensive attacks as well as digging. Most of these variations were declared obsolete by the twentieth century.
Contemporary Bayonets
Bayonets have been obsolete as fighting tools for over a century. However, they did gain brief popularity in the WWI. Nowadays, they are used to boost morale and to facilitate training exercises. Bayonets are also used as throwing knives as bottle openers. Today’s rifles still bear a lug for sword attachments although it is more symbolic at this point.
Learn more about bayonets, their uses, and different types of knives.
