This allowed light infantry to be converted to heavy infantry and hold off cavalry charges. The bayonet/musket combination was, however, considerably heavier than a polearm of the same length. A bayonet on a 5-foot (around 1.5 meters) tall musket achieved a reach similar to the infantry spear, and later halberd, of earlier times. Bayonets provided a useful addition to the weapons system when an enemy charging to contact could cross the musket's killing ground (a range of approximately 100 yards/meters at the most optimistic) at the expense of perhaps only one or two volleys from their waiting opponents. The early muskets fired at a slow rate (about two rounds per minute when loading with loose powder and ball, and no more than three to four rounds per minute using paper cartridges), and could be both inaccurate and unreliable, depending on the quality of manufacture. The benefit of such a dual-purpose arm contained in one was soon apparent.

The weapon was introduced into the French army by General Jean Martinet and was common in most European armies by the 1660s. This idea was particularly persistent in Spain where hunting arms were usually equipped with bayonets from the 17th century until the advent of the cartridge era. The bayonet may have emerged to allow a hunter to fend off wild animals in the event of a missed shot. ДЄ possibility is that the bayonet originated as a hunting weapon: early firearms were fairly inaccurate and took a long time to reload, thus a hunter of dangerous animals such as wild boar could easily have been exposed to danger if his bullet missed the animal. Likewise, Pierre Borel wrote in 1655 that a kind of long-knife called a bayonette was made in Bayonne but does not give any further description. For example, Cotgrave's 1611 Dictionarie describes the Bayonet as 'a kind of small flat pocket dagger, furnished with knives or a great knife to hang at the girdle'. The term bayonette dates back to the end of the 16th century, but it is not clear if bayonets at the time were knives that could be fitted to the ends of firearms, or simply a type of knife. The bayonet seems to originate in 17th century France. 5.1 Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.2 19th century and the multi-purpose bayonet.There's no doubt that bringing the past to the present has never been easier. If learning about military history interests you, or you take pride in having the best collection of antiques, or you're looking to add an impactful atmosphere to your home dГ©cor, then look no further than the collections on eBay. The item you're getting belonged in the very hands of its owners, and it's that authenticity that our buyers appreciate. Some of the items have remained unchanged, untouched throughout the ages with no additional furnishing or embellishments to help with its longevity. Or go for a classic 303 bayonet including a rifle bracket. From the most common arsenal to the rarer finds from the past, it's good to find a group of collectors who understand the importance of authentic antiques.Дiscover a bayonet from an MK2 Lee rifle, a WW1 Ottoman short blade bayonet with a scabbard, and a French bayonet from WW1 for the M1866 rifle. Capture an important piece of military history, with butcher knives and rifles also available for purchase. Learn about life during war with the soldiers that fought in them. Some bayonets come with additional weapons, so you can deepen your collection with the attached rifles, or individual components, such as scabbards, specially-manufactured grips, and even original imperial acceptance stamps. With patterns that range from simplistic to stylish for their era, there's sure to be something to your liking. The wide selection of bayonets dates far back into the 1900s, carrying history within their sharp blades from all over the world.

No matter the style of bayonet you're looking for, you're bound to find something to suit your collector's cabinet here on eBay. Find bayonets that were attached to rifles or those used as a secondary weapon, both ideal for adding to your collection. Bayonets are an ideal item for those looking for some militaria collectibles.

M9 bayonet or ak 47 bayonet