baïonnette

A baïonnette is a blade weapon designed to be fixed to the muzzle of a rifle or musket, enabling the firearm to be used for thrusting in close combat as a spear.

Origins and name: The term is French (baïonnette). The etymology is uncertain, with traditional accounts linking it to blades produced in Bayonne, France, but evidence is limited. The concept emerged in the 17th century as firearms began to be paired with detachable blades for melee fighting.

Design and types: Early forms were plug bayonets that inserted into the muzzle, leaving the barrel visible. Later socket bayonets fit around the muzzle and became common in the 18th and 19th centuries. Some rifles used a separate blade that attached via a lug under the barrel. Blade lengths and shapes ranged from short, dagger-like designs to longer sword-type blades. Bayonets also incorporated varying locking mechanisms and, on some models, additional tools or features such as wire cutters or cleaning implements.

Historical role and evolution: Bayonets were a central component of infantry tactics from the 18th through the early 20th century, supporting line infantry formations and bayonet charges. With changes in military technology and warfare, their practical use diminished, but they remained standard equipment in many armies through World War II and into the mid-20th century. In modern conflicts, bayonets are less frequently employed in combat and many designs are primarily ceremonial or multipurpose tools.

Contemporary status: Some countries still issue bayonets as part of standard equipment or retain them for ceremonial purposes, while others have phased them out in favor of other tools. The baïonnette remains a symbol of infantry heritage and a functional accessory in certain military and paramilitary contexts.