Fine Quality German Hunting Plug Bayonet, Mid-18th C

Featuring iron guard with down-turned diamond-faceted shell, cup-shaped diamond
faceted grip ferrule, and “flint-knapper” quillons.  The ferrule, quillons, and quillon block
virtually identical to Fig. 171 in “The Plug Bayonet”, by R.D.C. Evans.  Dark hardwood
grip topped with cylindrical-shaped pommel with button.  Single-edged 17" double-fullered
blade etched with acanthus and hunting scenes depicting hounds chasing a boar on one
side and hounds chasing a stag on the other.  The blade has heavy corrosion, especially
toward the point, yet the etching remains fairly clear.  Hilt with dark rust patina.  Overall length 19 1/4".

Though probably originating around 1550, the plug bayonet had a relatively short span of
use from around 1650-1720 (except in Spain where they were used to the end of the19th
C).  Their rise in popularity largely paralleled the development of standing armies in
Europe, which were realizing the importance of the musketeer, while at the same time not
wanting to wholly abandon the pike.  In this sense the plug bayonet can be considered a
transitional weapon.  However, despite its use as a dagger on its own, it was soon found to
be impractical since it’s use prevented the musket from being fired.  Countless soldiers
also found great difficulties in removing a stuck plug bayonet from the muzzle, rendering
the musket useless as a firearm.  Many were damaged while being removed and as a
result relatively few survive.  For these reasons it was soon superseded by the socket
bayonet, which did not affect the musket’s ability to fire and could much more easily be
removed.