English Plug Bayonet, Last Quarter 17th C

The plug bayonets of England had curved blades more often than any other country.  The
example offered here features an unmarked slightly curved 11 1/16" single-edged blade of
wedge section, the last 4 3/4" double-edged.  Brass guard with acorn finials and brass
pommel with small turned button finial.  Figured walnut grip with brass base ferrule.  Blade
smooth and near excellent, with one tiny edge nick.  Grip and guard also near excellent,
appearing to have never been mounted in a gun barrel.  Overall length 17".

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  For these reasons it was soon superseded by the socket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.