Page 166 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

164 PLUG, SOCKET, AND

ONET 1680–1815 SWORD BAYONETS ▲ ENGLISH OFFICER’S In addition to being weapons,

Infantrymen fighting with muskets were vulnerable
Cherub decoration
to enemy attack while loading their weapons after firing, so
they originally fought alongside pikemen for protection. At the
end of the 17th century, bayonets were developed to enable
bayonets could be removed from
PLUG BAYONET
were daggers thrust into the musket’s muzzle. They had to be
tasks. Officers’ bayonets might
Origin England
also have ornate features, such
removed to fire the weapon, and were superseded by socket
Weight 21oz (600g)
as the cherubs on the handle
Y musketeers to defend themselves. The first type, plug bayonets, Date c.1680 the gun and used for practical Collar of socket
bayonets, which were attached by a metal tube that engaged
of this blade.
AND BA many armies issued the longer sword bayonet, which could
Length 17 ⁄4in (44cm)
1
with a stud on the gun’s barrel. In the early 19th century,
be removed from the gun and used in hand-to-hand combat.
Stud to release
FLINTLOCK Tapering horn handle Central blade etched
Straight quillon
spring-loaded blades
with foliage pattern
to fit in musket muzzle
in closed position
▲ SPRING-LOADED A musketeer equipped with Spring-loaded blade Catch secures blade
PLUG BAYONET a bayonet could hold enemy
Date c.1685 cavalry at bay. The bayonet
handle was tapered to fit in
Origin Europe the muzzle of the gun. A catch
Weight 13oz (370g) on the spring-loaded blades
Length 19in (48.2cm) secured them in position.

Ivory hilt

▲ PLUG BAYONET The blade of this plug bayonet
Date 1686 is inscribed “God save King James
the 2 1686,” a reference to the
Origin England monarch who lost the English and
Weight 11 ⁄2oz (328g) Scottish thrones to William III Inscription
1
Length 18in (46.2cm) and Mary II in 1688. on blade
Tapering grip
blocks muzzle
when fitted

Quillon

Centrally ribbed
blade for rigidity Leather grip
▲ OFFICERS’ This type of bayonet had to be fitted
PLUG BAYONET into a gun barrel before use. English
Date 1695 Royalist troops were defeated by
charging Highlanders at the Battle
Origin England of Killiecrankie, Scotland, in 1689,
3
Weight 24 ⁄4oz (700g) because they were too slow to mount
Length 25in (64cm) their plug bayonets in the heat of battle.
Muzzle ring with
fore sight slot
Knuckle
guard