This section is for bayonets with a handle (not including plug bayonets for the more experienced collector).
Our story here begins with the development of the sword bayonet in the early 1800’s. “The sword bayonet was a restricted issue, popular with volunteers. In British service it was a badge of rank, only available to NCOs with other ranks using socket bayonets. France was the first nation to consider issuing the sword bayonet to all soldiers and NCOs. The 1840 was intended to be the first general-issue sword bayonet, but it was only issued in limited numbers. The 1840 was the first bayonet to have the double curved Turkish-style “yataghan” blade form that was to be copied by the British in 1852, and soon adopted worldwide…
[when the excessive weight of the sword bayonet began to cause concern]…France introduced the Gras 1874 with its slim but strong T-form blade, far lighter then the earlier 1866 but unsuited to anything other then thrusting. Germany, however, was to go against the accepted wisdom that considered reach as being of paramount importance in bayonet fighting…and [the S1871/84 bayonet] was to form the basis of future knife bayonet development.”
So we see here the development and evolution of the bayonet (with handle) in terms of the sword bayonet (in the early 1800’s) gradually shrink to the knife bayonet as we approach the 1900’s.
