Small Arms School Corps Journal 2005

The History of the Bayonet

by Graham Priest
Throughout the pages of any Small Arms School Corps
Journal you will find several depictions of the bayonet. On
the front and back cover alone there are three. It is
inextricably linked with the history of the firearm, and
remains the last survivor of those edged weapons from the
past that is still carried into action by virtually every 21st
century British infantryman. Have you ever wondered how
this came about?

It is thought that one day, sometime between 1550 and

1580, Basque hunters ranging over the Pyrenean
Mountains now separating France from Spain, 'invented'
the design. [1] Imagine the scene as Juan and Carlos each
lugged their heavy matchlock arquebus into a clearing in Fig.2 An English Plug Bayonet & Scabbard c.1690.
search of boar. After a long wait a suitable target breaks Regimental Colonels purchased a variety of designs, mainly
cover. Juan fires but the ball hits the shoulder and only with brass mounts and walnut grips. (Derek Complin)
wounds. The enraged 'tusker' charges across the open
ground. Juan tells Carlos to fire but suddenly realises he The disadvantage of the plug bayonet was seen at the
has fled taking his weapon with him! As his life passes in Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689. [6] Technology was not
front of his eyes "ping!" Juan has a 'great idea'. Grabbing good enough to produce a standardised barrel diameter so
his belt knife he rams the handle into the barrel and stands a tapered hilt fitted all sizes. The overwhelming force of the
his ground with the makeshift spear. We will never know Highlanders’ charge was too fast for the royal troops to fix
whether it killed or just repelled the dangerous adversary, bayonets and the device blocked the muzzle so it could not
but Juan must have lived to tell the tale. In the local pub be reloaded or discharged. A heavy defeat followed. New
that night the story spread and within weeks specially developments to solve the difficulty saw the rise of the ring
shaped knives were being forged by the local or socket bayonet.
entrepreneurs. Military men soon thought that there was
an application for more dangerous game. Yet again it was the French who had created a workable
design by1669. [7] An engraving of a long ‘spear’ cranked
It wasn't until 14th March 1662 that the arrangement was to one side of a slotted tubular socket was dated 1697 [8]
adopted in England. [2] The specialist knife came to be
known as a baggonet or bayonet. The etymology of the The bayonet that allowed continued use of the firearm with
word would fill a paper in itself. Interested readers are minimal impediment revolutionised battlefield tactics. It
directed to the thoughts of Captain Sir David Sibbald Scott, coincided with the general appearance of a more reliable
whose lecture 'On the history of the bayonet', delivered to ‘flintlock’ musket. The reaction of Lieutenant-Colonel
the Royal United Services Institution on 27th May 1863, Maxwell of the 25th Foot, although uncertain in date, was
gives a comprehensive account of how the name known. Maxwell ...ordered his men to screw their bayonets
developed. [3] Briefly in the late 1570s the original French into their muzzles, thinking...(the French)...meant to decide
word bayonnette was the noun for a general knife, the affair point to point; but, to his great surprise, when
probably manufactured by the cutlers of Bayonne quite they came within a proper distance, the French threw in a
close to the Basque region. By the first published heavy fire.... [9]
reference of 1690 the name was used for blades on
military firearms. [4] The use of a title, derived from a Alternative ways to attach blade and tube continued in most
geographical location, can be compared with other European countries, with England, via the Board of Ordnance
commodities. Champagne, is a sparkling wine from a from 1730 onwards, using the flintlock 'Land Pattern
Musket' (nicknamed 'Brown Bess'). Although barrel lengths
region of France, and Cheddar, is a form of cheese from changed, the .75 inch calibre and 17 inch triangular bladed
an area of the British Isles. bayonet continued in use from the War of the Spanish Succession
(1701-1714) until the Napoleonic Wars (1802-1815) and beyond.
England was slow to adopt its first issue of captured French plug [10] (Figs.3&4)
bayonets (originally they were just bayonets). Soldiers carried the
weapon as a sidearm but retained their swords. Tactics were
evolved so that muskets were discharged in volleys then plug
bayonets were used when there was no time to muzzle load. They
either repelled an enemy or exploited an advance. An English drill
book, with mention of the bayonet, arrived in 1675. The pike
began to fall into disuse by the Battle of Sedgemoor in 1685 and
Fig.3 The flintlock Land Pattern Musket (nicknamed 'Brown
was obsolete by 1705. [5] (Figs 1&2) Bess') dated 1729. (SAS 2388)

Fig.1 A 'dog lock' musket from the reign of Queen Anne Fig.4 An early 'Brown Bess' socket bayonet c1730-1740.
(1702-1714). This had a plug bayonet. (SAS 2387) (Derek Complin)

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 Small Arms School Corps Journal 2005

The History of the Bayonet

(continued)
At first the barrel length allowed three ranks of infantry (the The SASC's foundation, which coincided with the
French often used five), with front troops kneeling, to development of rifle-muskets, did not displace the
discharge a volley simultaneously. The 600 or so fixed improved socket bayonet. (Figs.7&8)
bayonets of a regiment, with eight companies, could also
deter cavalry should the need arise. Severe discipline,
accompanied by excellent training, much experience, and
a robust firearm, soon established the British Army as one
of the premier military forces in the world. This gave the
‘redcoat’ a psychological advantage when in combat. Much
of the later history of the bayonet depended on its
aggressive use. As a military reputation was gained
opponents had to contend with the idea that a British bayo-
net charge was unstoppable. Fig.7. The Pattern 1853 Rifle-musket which started the history
of the Small Arms School Corps. (SAS 55)
The ingenious engineers of France experimented with
many of the most successful locking devices to secure
socket and barrel prior to 1777, but Britain remained
wedded to the ‘common’ slotted model with refinements
until 1853. [11] When troops tried to employ formal tactics
against irregular adversaries in North America they failed.
General Braddock’s defeat, near Pittsburgh, in 1755
demonstrated the superiority of the firearm used from
cover over ‘cold steel’. [12] Observation that a skirmisher,
armed with a rifled long arm, could overwhelm an infantry
formation stimulated the creation of ‘elite’ regiments of Fig.8. The Pattern 1853 socket bayonet as used on the
riflemen to counteract the menace. [13] The bayonet did Martini-Henry Rifle after 1872. (SAS 358)
not disappear, as the single shot rifle was slow to muzzle
load, but began to take on a more multipurpose function as
Even when the breech-loaded, single shot Snider (1869)
a sidearm. The flintlock Baker Rifle, together with its
and Martini-Henry (1872) long arm appeared they were still
brass-hilted sword bayonet, provided a distinctive weapon
unreliable, and needed to be a reasonable length to give
for green-clad regiments after 1800. (Figs.5&6)
‘reach’ against cavalry. (Fig.9)

Fig.5. The Baker Rifle and 'sword' from 1800. (SAS 21)

Fig.9. The 1st Pattern Martini-Henry Rifle used with a bushed

Pattern 1853 socket bayonet from1872. (SAS 358)

Sword bayonets, some with saw backed blades; machete

profiles or cutlass designs were adopted for use with
shorter carbines, carried by non-commissioned officers
and other specialists. [15]

Even in 1876 the Martini-Henry Rifle had its socket

bayonet blade extended to match the total length of other
Fig.6. The flintlock of the Baker Rifle. (SAS 21)
European military rifles. [16] Two ‘colonial’ engagements
demonstrated that the bayonet and rifle combination was
only effective if proper tactics were employed. The
Tactics with the socket bayonet were still to provide the
dispersal of troops and superior firepower caused the
serious fighting 'point' in battle but the specialist nature of
disastrous defeat of British forces at Isandhlwana on 22nd
riflemen caused their 'sword' to be an 'object of desire' to
January 1879. At Rorke’s Drift a consolidated defence,
other units. [14] Members of the ‘volunteer’ movement
with use of barriers, volley fire and bayonets reversed the
therefore equipped themselves with impractical sword
situation. [17]
bayonets that had become male costume jewellery!
Even before the previous events had taken place an effective
Stagnant military thinking ignored the rapid improvements to fire- magazine rifle, (Model 1866 Winchester) had provided short-
arms caused by the adoption of percussion ignition and mass range mass fire at the siege of Plevna, Bulgaria, where Turkish
produced, rifled barrels. The British Army's largely ‘colonial’ defenders repelled Russian forces in 1877. [18] As such small
campaigns against poorly armed opponents preserved formal calibre weapons evolved, with accurate rapid shooting to consid-
tactics. Elsewhere in the American Civil War (1861-1865) these erable ranges and a bigger allowance of lighter ammunition the
resulted in enormous casualties through the use of standing ranks likelihood of the bayonet being necessary for defence was
and the bayonet charge. reduced.

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The History of the Bayonet

(continued)
After the Artillery flirted with a brass-hilted, 'yataghan' of an infantryman, continued. [23] A belief in the superiority
sword bayonet a 12 inch bladed knife design, adopted in of 'cold steel' on the battlefield was used to turn a civilian
1888, was used on Britain’s effective box magazine, bolt recruit into a disciplined soldier. The physical exercise
action, Lee-Metford Rifle. [19] (Figs.10&11) involved was useful but much use was made of outdated
thinking.

By February 1925 British researchers had begun to

Fig.10. The 'long' Lee-Enfield Rifle from 1895 with a Pattern question the traditional role of the bayonet. [24] A report
1888 bayonet. (SAS 0371) stated, It has been conclusively proved during the war, and
since, with our present system of training with the bayonet,
that “reach” is not the main factor but that handiness is...
Physical Training Staff ... came to the conclusion that a
6-inch blade is sufficiently long to deal with the most thickly
clad of our enemies - potential or otherwise... In the war
Fig.11. The Pattern 1888 bayonet mainly used on the Lee- the utility of the bayonet as a cutlass or dagger proved to
Metford and Lee-Enfield Rifles of 1892 and 1895. (SAS 0371) be negligible - hence the demand for trench knives, clubs,
&c... The long broad blade glints, and is conspicuous when
At the Battle of Omdurman, 2nd September 1898, fixed, at a great distance, even in moonlight and when
Sudanese, Egyptian and British troops, formed behind a Verey lights are fired. [25] The sword bayonet was
thorn zariba, used traditional ranks and defence tactics to criticised as a poor tool for clearing brushwood and cutting
destroy over 10,000 Dervishes. [20] Despite the fixed up firewood, but was praised as a poker. The
bayonets none of the Mahdists reached the perimeter. 'unhandiness' of the rifle for bayonet fighting and shooting,
particularly snap shooting, was also highlighted.
Formal fighting methods, with rifle & bayonet fell into
disrepute during the South African War (1899-1902) a year By 1931 the prototype No.4 Mk I ‘spike’ bayonet, on the
later. This time, despite possession of an outstanding socket principle with a ‘thrust’ function, was adopted for the
firearm, infantry bayonet charges against well-concealed No.4 Mk I Rifle. [26] (Fig.14)
Boer marksmen armed with the Mauser Rifles caused
huge numbers of casualties at Modder River,
Magersfontein, Spion Kop and elsewhere. The short-term
use of mounted riflemen, barbed wire and concentration
camps, won the war but did not really alter military
thinking. [21] Strategists were aware of the huge
technological advances in transport (motor vehicles and
powered flight), improvements in communications
(telegraph & telephone), and changes to firearms Fig.14. The No.4 Mk I Rifle with assorted spike and bladed
(machine-gun, automatic pistol and more powerful bayonets used from 1925-1948. (Priest & Humphries Collections)
artillery), but were unable to abandon tried techniques.

In 1907 Britain copied the example of Japan (1897 Arisaka Events rapidly overtook this weapon, so that with adapta-
Rifle) and the United States of America (1903 tion, it became the standard rifle and ‘cold steel’ during the
Krag-Jörgensen) when it gave the infantry a handier Short Second World War (1939-1945). Cheapness and ease of
Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle. (Figs.12&13) production became essential ingredients. [27] As a minor
part of the arms programme 'cost' in terms of finance, time
and materials was important. As value for money the 'pig
sticker' was one of the most efficient bayonets ever
devised.
The development of mass-produced machine-carbines, and
Fig.12. The Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Rifle with Pattern assault rifles undermined the traditional role of the bayonet even
1907 bayonet that was used in both World Wars. (SAS 0664) further. (Figs.15&16)

Fig.13. The Pattern 1907 bayonet with the hooked quillon Fig.15. The 'Machine Carbine, L2A3' or 'Sterling Mk.4' derived
removed in 1915. (SAS 0664) from the Patchett 9mm calibre design of 1944. (SAS 952)

This had a 17 inch bladed sword bayonet to maintain essential

‘reach’. [22] The First World War (1914-1918) perpetuated out-
dated practices with rifle and bayonet that were totally ineffectual.
As static warfare was established elaborate defences with trench
systems, bunkers, barbed wire and machine guns were immune to Fig.16 A commercial No.5 bayonet with black plastic grips and
either volley fire or bayonet charges. Despite constant assault flat rivets. The blade is engraved with the title 'STERLING'. (Late
failures the ‘need’ for bayonet drill, as part of the basic training John Watts -The Bayonet Book, 1975)

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 Small Arms School Corps Journal 2005

The History of the Bayonet

(continued)

After 1947 the total domination of such firearms depended However the current L85A2 Rifle carries the multipurpose
more on rapid firepower than the ability to support a blade. L3A1bayonet, often with the L1A2 scabbard assembly
The needs of urban & jungle warfare, the use of which has a saw, sharpening stone and wire cutter
mechanised infantry on land, sea and air, plus financial assembly. An integral bottle opener lug on the early
considerations affected the bayonet. Many countries bayonet was abandoned. (Fig.21)
provided an integral 'spike' but after 1944 the British Army
returned to a detachable knife bayonet. [28] (Figs.17&18)

Fig.21. An early L3A1 bayonet with the bottle opener on the

guard issued in 1985. (Priest Collection)

Fig.17. The Fabrique Nationale Fusil Automatique Légère Some countries, notably Israel and South Africa, have
bought by Britain in May 1954 and called the Self-Loading ceased the general issue of bayonets. Most other armed
Rifle or 'SLR'. The bayonet is the L1A3. (SAS 2551) countries continue to design, develop and deploy the
weapon. (Figs.22&23)

Fig.18. An L1A3 bayonet used on various versions of the SLR

(SAS 2551)
Fig.22. The L85A1 Individual Weapon and L3A1 bayonet.
Some practical reasons involved the training role, (SAS 2180)
emergency back up, effective deterrent when guarding
prisoners or for crowd control and ceremonials. [29] The
symbolic nature of the bayonet encouraged the return of
glittering blades despite the obvious drawback when used
in clandestine operations.
Fig.23. The L3A1 Bayonet Fixed. The bayonet also has a
Many nations have continued to develop the bayonet as a multi-tool facility as wire cutter and saw. (SAS 2180)
'Swiss Army Knife' type of tool, which if required will fit on a
firearm. [30] Although the weapon has been used in Whether as emergency pike, assault weapon, badge of
combat in the latter decades of the 20th Century and even distinction or tool, the bayonet remains the badge of the
recently in Iraq, much more has been made of its utilitarian Infantry.
functions. [31] Elaborate designs, which cut electric cables,
saw through ropes and even open beer bottles are all in Acknowledgements
existence. [32] Such weapons probably have more of a My grateful thanks to the staff, particularly Major (Retd)
perceived, than real, value in modern warfare. A John Conway & Captain (Retd) Peter Laidler, and trustees
preference for more ammunition or an attachment to the of the Weapons Collection, Infantry Training Centre,
weapon with some military advantage might be more valid. Warminster. Also appreciation to Derek Complin & John
Humphries.
Designers nearly adopted a simple bowie-bladed socket
bayonet for the XL64 'Phase II' (1976-1978) versions of the Ed—About the article writer
'SA 80' system. [33] (Figs.19&20) Graham Priest is a retired headmaster with an interest in
socket bayonets and acknowledges he doesn’t know why
he has such an interest. However, this has led to having
his own collection, and he has also
written a couple of books (one in the
Warminster collection library - on
WWII No. 4 rifles & bayonets) and
over 100 specialist articles.
Fig.19. An experimental version of the SA 80 (XL64E5) which
used a bowie bladed socket bayonet during trials in 1976- He has also lectured to the Arms &
1978. (SAS 2041) Armour Society at the Tower. His
spare time allows him to help with
weapon displays etc. Big boys' toys!
Graham is one of the ‘Friends of the Infantry & SASC
Weapons Collection’.

Fig.20. The experimental bayonet used on the XL64E5 and

END NOTES for this Article are on the next page.
other trials weapons. (Priest Collection)

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 Small Arms School Corps Journal 2005

The History of the Bayonet

(continued)

Endnotes (Reference material to numbers given in the article)

[1] Evans, R.D.C., The Plug Bayonet, Private Pub., Baildon,

England, 2002, p. 5.
[2] Ibid., p. 9.
[3] Journal of the United Services Institution, Scott, Capt. Sir S.D.,
‘On the history of the bayonet’, Vol.7, 1863, pp. 333 - 347.
[4] Chastenet, Chevalier, Seigneur de Puységur, J. de, Memoires
Historiques et Militaires sous Louis XIII et la Minorité de Louis XIV,
Vol. 1, Chez Jacques Morel, Paris, France, 1690, pp. 612 - 613.
[5] Haswell, J., The British Army, Thames & Hudson Ltd., London,
England, 1975, pp. 27 -28.
[6] Scott, Capt. Sir S.D., Op. cit., p. 342.
[7] Lazard, P.E., Vauban, 1633 - 1707, Librairie Felix Alcan, Paris,
France, 1934, p. 452.
[8] Saint Remy, P. Surirey de, Memoires d’ Artillerie, Vol.1, Rollin,
Paris, France, 1697, Plate 104, p. 336.
[9] Scott, Capt. Sir S.D., Op. cit., p. 343.
[10] Bailey, De W., Pattern Dates for British Ordnance Small
Arms, 1718 - 1783, Thomas Pub., Gettysburg, U.S.A., 1997, p. vii.
[11] Priest, G., The Brown Bess Bayonet, 1720 - 1860, Tharston
Press, Norwich, England, 1986.
[12] Mc Cardell, L., Ill-Starred General. Braddock of the
Coldstream Guards, University of Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh,
U.S.A., 1958.
[13] Myatt, F., The British Infantry, 1660 - 1945, Blandford Press,
Poole, England, 1983, pp. 60 - 81.
[14] Blackmore, H.L., British Military Firearms 1650 - 1850,
Herbert Jenkins Ltd., London, England, 1961, pp. 111 - 131.
[15] Walter, J. (editor), Arms & Equipment of the British Army,
1866, Greenhill Books, London, England, 1986, p.200.
[16] Watts, J. & White, P., The Bayonet Book, Birmingham,
England, 1975, p. 314.
[17] Barthorp, M., The Zulu War, A Pictorial History, Blandford
Press, London, England, 1980, p.78.
[18] Banks, A., A World Atlas of Military History, 1860 - 1945,
Seeley Service & Co., London, England, 1978, p. 41.
[19] Evans, R.D.C., British Bayonet Letters Patent, 1721- 1961,
Baildon, England, 1991.
[20] Barthorp, M., War on the Nile, Britain, Egypt & the Sudan
1882 - 1898, Blandford Press, London, England, 1984, p.169.
[21] Barthorp, M., The Anglo Boer Wars, The British and the
Afrikaners 1815 - 1902, Blandford Press, London, England, 1987,
p. 165.
[22] Skennerton, I.D. & Richardson, R., British & Commonwealth
Bayonets, Margate, Australia, 1986, pp. 181 - 192.
[23] Evans, R.D.C., A Bibliography of the Bayonet, Baildon,
England, 2000, pp. 21 - 51.
[24] Priest, G., The Spirit of the Pike. British Socket Bayonets of
the Twentieth Century, Uppem Pub., Wiltshire, England, 2003, pp.
12 - 17.
[25] Ordnance Board, Proceedings, Minute 659, ‘Bayonet for
Proposed New Mark of S.M.L.E. Rifle’, 25th February 1925,
pp.14 -18.
[26] Priest, G., Op. cit., pp. 25 - 32.
[27] Ibid., pp. 45 - 113.
[28] Watts, J. & White, P., Op. cit.
[29] Priest, G., Op. cit., pp. 175 - 193.
[30] Armed Forces Journal International, Barger, M., ‘US Army
Bayonet: Outclassed, Outdated, but a new One Is Scheduled- In
the Year 2000?’, May 1985, pp. 62 - 64.
[31] Ripley, T., Bayonet Battle, Sidgwick & Jackson, London,
England, 1999, pp. 230 - 246.
[32] Brett, H.M., The Military Knife & Bayonet, World Photo Press,
Tokyo, Japan, 2001.
[33] Raw, S., The Last Enfield, Collector Grade Publications,
Canada, 2003, p. 314.