bajonett

Bajonett, in German, refers to a blade that can be fixed to the muzzle end of a rifle or musket, enabling close-range fighting as a spear-like melee weapon. The term is borrowed from the French baïonette and entered European military vocabulary in the early modern period. Over time, the bajonett became a standard component of infantry equipment in many armies.

Historically, bayonets come in several major designs. Socket bayonets slip over the muzzle and are secured by a locking mechanism, while knife- and sword-type bayonets attach along the firearm’s barrel or stock. Early models were simple blades with guards, and later examples added features such as locking lugs, release catches, and hand guards. Blade lengths varied, but many designs balanced reach with practicality for marching and combat.

Use and development: Bayonets were standard issue for centuries, serving as a supplementary weapon during charges, melee encounters, and when ammunition was depleted. As firearms technology advanced, especially with breech-loading rifles and repeating arms, the strategic importance of the bayonet declined. By the 20th century, dedicated bayonets remained common as a secondary tool and for ceremonial purposes, though their battlefield role diminished in many forces after World War I.

Modern status: Today, the bajonett is largely a secondary or ceremonial element in most militaries. Modern rifles retain bayonet lugs or training blades, but actual combat use is rare. Outside military use, bajonets are collected as historical weapons and preserved in museums or used in ceremonial units.

See also: bayonet, socket bayonet, knife bayonet.