BAYONET. A short sword or sharp pointed weapon (usually triangular in cross section) fitted on to the muzzle of a musket or similar weapon, so as to give the soldier in creased means of offense and defense. The name is said to be derived from the town of Bayonne in France, where, it is stated, it was first invented in 1640. The first regiment which appears to have had bayonets attached to their muskets was the Grenadier Guards, as far back as the year 1693. It is stated by Macau lay that in consequence of the awlcward mode of attaching the bayonet the English lost the battle of Killiecranlue, as the. Highlanders were upon the troops before they could convert their fire-locks into pikes. The bayonets then used were called and had hancUes which fitted into the muzzles of the guns, but at a later date were introduced the douille or socket-bayonets having sockets which enabled the bayonets so to be used as not to interrupt the firing. The use of pikes .went out when that of bayonets came in. It seerns very probable that the first bayonet was a dagger, which the musketeer stuck by means of its handle into the muzzle of his weapon to shield him froin a cavalry charge, and that the useful ness of the contrivance suggested a permanent arrangement.
Bayonets are now made with great rapidity and the process of manufacture is very simple. Two pieces of metal are first selected, viz., a piece of the best cast steel, 7 inches long by inch square, and a piece of the best wrought iron rod, 4 inches long by about 1 inch in thickness. The steel is to form the blade, and the iron the socket-handle. The steel, being properly shaped at one end, is joined to the iron by welding. A forging machine is next em ployed to give a rough outline of the required shape. Then comes the action of a swaging machine, with dies which come down upon the metal in great force and counter-dies beneath the metal. The metal is then annealed turned in a cutting-machine to remove a wire-edge thrown up in the act of stamping; cut to a proper length, and the socket-end made square; drilled and bored, to make the socket hollow; shaped and furrowed along the blade; bent at the neck; hardened and tempered; and finished by a numerous train of minor operations. The
bayonet-charge is now one of the most terrible manceuvers of trained infantry, in which each nation fancies itself to excel all others.
In close-quarter engagements there is no weapon more formidable; from its length and weight the thrust of the bayonet gives a terrible wound, and its force is such that there is great difficulty in parrying the attack. Like other small-arms, it is most serviceable when handled on scientific. principles ; and the art of using it to advantage is so simple as to be very easily acquired. while the exercise, from the weight of the rifle, admirably aids in developing the muscles of all parts of the body.
A sword-bayonet is quite widely used, es pecially for the short rifles of the light infantry, the carbines of the artillery, etc. It is a com pound of the sword and the bayonet, as its name indicates, having a sword-like blade with only one edge, and being capable of being fastened to the muzzle of the gun like the bay onet. Opinions as to the present utility of bay onets differ widely, many authorities consider ing them of little importance. While the result of a battle is often determined by the employment of smokeless powder and long range and rapid-firing rifles in surprises and night attacics, the bayonet may be used to advantage, as was frequently proved in the Boer War.
While the infantry soldier relies mainly on fire action to disable the enemy, yet he must be instructed in the use of the nfle and bayonet in hand-to-hand encounters, the object of all such instruction being to teach the soldier how to make effective use of the rifle and bay onet in personal combat; to make him quidc and proficient in handling the rifle; to give him an accurate eye and a steady hand, and to give him confidence. in the bayonet in offense and defense.