Spike bayonets

<XMP><BODY></xmp> Spike bayonets

Bayonets.

http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/2116/bayonets.htm

        "Other than the obvious fact that the rifle has longer range, a bayonet is a much more lethal weapon. It makes a huge wound channel and has very deep penetration. It also doesn't malfunction or run out of ammo."

         "None but practical soldiers realise the fact that the bayonet is meant to be a bayonet, not a sword, nor a dagger, nor a chopper, nor a saw".
...Richard Burton (the Victorian one)

        Most bayonets designed to also act as utility knives generally offer the worst of both worlds. The British SLR bayonet used in the Falklands had a handle too small for most hands and a blade only capable of stabbing. The only thing it could be used for was to arm the end of a rifle but in this role it carried unnecessary weight such as handle scales and this changed the Mean Point of Impact. The replacement for the SA-80 is more versatile, but has an uncomfortable handle and still affects the rifleman's shooting.
        The solution is to issue a dedicated bayonet and equip the troops with a separate field knife. This gives troops a spare weapon and a survival tool that is less likely to get lost during combat. There are many good designs of utility/survival knife about -although I've designed a Combat Utility Blade to meet all the uses (and abuses) line troops will have for a blade. The current US issue M9 bayonet would also make an effective field knife.

        Most bayonets that have been used when close combat was a probability rather than a possibility have used a spike bayonet. The British army "re-discovered" this in WW2 but failed to issue utility knives alongside the bayonets, so problems arose.
        The ideal bayonet will have a blade at least 9" loa. and attach to the bayonet lug at the pommel. The bayonet will mount on the side of the barrel to allow the use of underbarrel weapons.
        The 4" nearest the pommel is round or oval in section, while the rest of the weapon has a triangular section blade with fullers. One side of this triangle will be vertical and these edges are sharpened on one side for downward slashes and upward thrusts. Some Russian spike bayonets had a screwdriver point, and this feature might be incorporated without compromising the bayonet's efficiency as a weapon.
        Such a configuration of bayonet is very light but strong enough to punch through bone, webbing or body armour. The wound created is self-supporting so causes considerable blood loss and fast incapacitation. Having such a bayonet fitted has minimal effect on the accuracy of the weapon. The oval section of the shaft allows the bayonet to be used as a hand weapon if necessary.

        As well as being used with rifles, bayonets may also be used on OICWs, grenade launchers, LMGs, assault shotguns and SMGs. The provision to fit bayonets to silencers should be investigated too.

        I know of at least one American ex-serviceman that would prefer to have a folding spike bayonet attached to the rifle in the manner of the SKS or Chinese AKM. This should be mounted on the side of the barrel but swing through the vertical plane. To see how quickly a bayonet attached in this way can be brought into action see the Jackie Chan movie "Police Story 3".
         Hunters using the SKS have found that the folding bayonet can be used as a monopod.

        During the 18^th century a device was produced that consisted of a rod with a socket at one end and a padded ball at the other. This allowed troops to spar with bayonets in a realistic manner.
        Soldiers should be taught to aim their thrusts at the throat or belly region, and power them by the waist, hips and back heel, not just the arms.“Power” in this context is to provide speed rather than impact.

         Richard F. Burton remarks in his “Complete System of Bayonet Exercise (1853)” (p. 27):--

         “The instructor must spare no pains in preventing the soldier from using force, especially with the left or guiding arm, as too much exertion generally causes the thrust to miss. A trifling body-stab with the bayonet (I may add with the sword) is sufficient to disable a man; and many a promising young soldier has lost his life by burying his weapon so deep in the enemy's breast that it could not be withdrawn quickly enough to be used against a second assailant. To prevent this happening, the point must be delivered smartly, with but little exertion of force, more like a dart than a thrust, and instantly afterwards the bayonet must be smartly withdrawn.”

and adds in “A New System of Sword Exercise for Infantry (1876) ” (p.12)

         “In fact the thrust should consist of two movements executed as nearly simultaneously as possible; and it requires long habit, as the natural man, especially the Englishman, is apt to push home, and to dwell upon his slouching push. ”

        I've seen whole manuals devoted to bayonet fighting. This section is worth a read but remember that bayonet fighting basically boils down to:-

Step forward with either foot.
Thrust bayonet into throat or stomach and twist. The chest is often armoured by equipment and blades can catch in the rib cage. The femoral artery just where the groin joins the thigh is a good alternate target. So too is the enemy's hands where he holds the rifle.
If the foe is too close, hit him with the stock, anywhere you can.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/3-25.150/ch7.htm#p2
        When “on guard” –ie any time when you are not actually attacking, keep the muzzle over to your left if right handed at about nose level. This allows the most likely attacking thrusts to be parried with an inward deflection and sets you up for a fast riposte.

        A rifle without a bayonet fixed can still be used with bayonet techniques. This is an important point to grasp since it is likely you will not have a bayonet fitted when you most need your rifle as a close combat weapon. Some training camps have already dropped the bayonet from their curriculum but still teach the use of the Pugil Stick. Even without a bayonet fitted the muzzle of a rifle can be used as a weapon. If thrust with sufficient force against bony areas the impact of the muzzle can be disabling and even fatal.

        It is worth knowing a little about bayonet drill even if you are not in the military. Not only is it applicable to longarms without bayonets fitted but also to any object of similar length to a rifle.
        For a right handed individual, stand left foot forward, point towards the enemy.

Thrust the point or muzzle at the throat. There are of course various alternate targets ranging from the upper thigh to the forehead.
Swing the butt in a semi-circle to strike the temple. As a variation a vertical arc can be described to hit the chin, sternum etc.
Withdraw the butt a short distance and smash into the face. This strike can also be delivered to the clavicle when less force is warranted.
Swing the bayonet point or muzzle in an arc to rake diagonally down across the foe's brow, nose and mouth. This is mainly a distracting action although with a club or Fire-axe this will possibly be the fight finisher.
The point is back in position to make another thrust.

        This brief drill teaches that both the butt and the point each have a thrust and a circular strike, and how these moves can be combined. The middle section of the weapon can also be used to strike or defend.

        Another technique for using a rifle and bayonet is the “Throw point” (Burton calls this the “Lance Point”). Assume the rifle is being held conventionally and by a right handed Soldier. The left hand is removed from the fore-end and the rifle thrust forward by straightening the right arm. This is rather like the lunge of a rapier. The left hand may be placed on the butt to stabilise the weapon and add force. This will probably need to be done if this technique is tried with heavier designs of rifle. This technique gives a long reach and can be applied against the hand as well as the body.

        Another interesting technique I've seen demonstrated by two veteran WWII Commandos. This was to knock the thrusting bayonet point downwards so it drove itself into the ground. The rifleman would be unexpectedly pole-vaulted forward, allowing the Commando to take up the rifle and use it against its former owner.

Ralph Zumbro writes:

        In all the recent hoopla over bullpups, one thing has been forgotten. A normal configuration rifle can be used, as is, for mob control. Simply mount the bayonet, drill for mobstomp, and use blade and butt to run the buggers off. I have had this training, and don't see how the bullpup can be adapted for that kind of work. In addition to the ejection problem for left handers, you are simply LOSING one more valuable infantry skill.
        Not to mention, of course, that the old WWII paratroop squad leaders who trained me in bayonet work, told me that the use of the bayonet in trenches and fortifications eliminates shooting through your enemy and into the buddy who is in close combat on the other side of the room. In RVN, I have personally seen from my turret, an American sergeant pick a VC up on the bayonet of his M-14 (engineer dozer operator) and fling him several yards.

Iraq: May 2004
        Land Rovers carrying 20 Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders come under attack on a highway near the city of Amara.
        After radioing for back-up, they fixed bayonets and charged at 100 rebels using tactics learned in drills. Despite being outnumbered five to one, they suffered only three minor wounds in the hand-to-hand fighting.
        When the fighting ended 35 enemy lay dead and nine were captured.

By the Author of the Scrapboard : Blog of the Books.
	Attack, Avoid, Survive: Essential Principles of Self Defence Available in Handy A5 and US Trade Formats. A5 Edition. US Trade Edition. New Global Edition Epub Global Edition Video Webpage
	Survival Weapons: Optimizing Your Arsenal
	Crash Combat Fourth Edition Epub edition Fourth Edition.
	Anatopismo: An Underrealm Novella
	Hell-Ay: Angel Town

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