How useful are bayonets?

B

Billy02

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Apr 12, 2018
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How useful are bayonets? Is a rifle with a knife attached more effective than just a knife?
 
haha, true in a way. but what will be more effective, like using just a knife or with a rifle?
 
Not for food prep? I mean it depends on the application.
If you mean during combat, they serve their respective purpose for close quarters stabbing. You have more reach while just a knife allows for more mobility. There is a reason Ghurkas used Kukris instead of Bayonets.
 
Billy02 said:
haha, true in a way. but what will be more effective, like using just a knife or with a rifle?
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Depends on the application. The bayonet turns the rifle into an improvised pike. Nothing says stop better than a sharp pointy thing hanging right in front of you.

It is an interesting subject, since the bayonets, which is a relatively recent invention (the first ones were made about 300 years ago), cycled through just about every historical blade shape ever invented.

n2s
 
In a modern context they're nearly useless. Historically they were essential. Back in the 1700's you'd fire off several volleys at each other then fix bayonets and advance to melee, and they were a way of converting a long musket into a spear, which is a terrifyingly effective weapon compared to things like swords. Officers, not burdened with a musket since they directed firing, would have a dedicated polearm weapon like a spontoon or halberd.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
In a modern context they're nearly useless. Historically they were essential. Back in the 1700's you'd fire off several volleys at each other then fix bayonets and advance to melee, and they were a way of converting a long musket into a spear, which is a terrifyingly effective weapon compared to things like swords.
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I find bayonets essentially useless when compared to the usefulness of more traditional fixed and folding knives. But I know I have had the urge to get one for myself just because they're cool. But I have held back as I know I'll never use the thing and it will simply collect dust.

It would be a bitch to open a can of beans with the bayonet attached to a rifle.
 
I used mine to keep the 'ol smoke pole muzzle down in camp back when I did Civil War Reenactments.
My use was historically accurate. During that war a lot of men on both sides used their bayonet for that, or to hold a candle.
The one thing they didn't use them for was sticking the enemy.
After the war there was no recorded instance of anyone on either side having suffered a wound or killed from a bayonet, after any of the battles.
(Yes, they did keep track of wounds.)
FYI: Even though the Civil War had more wounded and killed than all the wars prior and after combined that the US has been involved in, roughly 40% of the troops on both sides never fired a live round (they shot blanks). If they did shot live rounds, they intentionally fired over the enemy's heads. Since a lot of families had someone fighting in both sides, (they thought if they had fought for the winning side they would not suffer as much incrimination and/or retribution, no matter who won) the soldiers did not want to take a chance on shooting their brother, cousin, uncle, father, etc.
 
British soldiers did successful charge with bayonets in Iraq, 2004 and in Afghanistan, 2011 - google corporal Sean Jones of 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales's Regiment.

Bayonet on rifle isn't only better reach, also more powerful thrust or slash, because of it's weight. Typical infantryman carry 4 kg [8,8 ib] rifle.
 
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