keihäsbayonetit

Keihäsbayonetit are a category of bayonets associated with Finnish military tradition, characterized by a longer blade and a spear-like profile intended to extend the wielder’s reach in close combat. The term is Finnish and translates roughly to “spear bayonets.” In Finnish usage, keihäsbayonetit refer to bayonets that were designed or deployed to function with both rifle-mounted and spear-like handling, offering extended reach for infantry.

Design and terminology: Keihäsbayonetit stand out from standard service bayonets primarily by their length and proportions, which in some examples allowed two-handed handling or thrusts similar to a short spear. They were described in early 20th-century Finnish inventories and catalogs as a variation of bayonet intended for melee effectiveness beyond conventional bayonet use. While there was no single uniform pattern across all units, the concept reflected broader European trends of extending melee capabilities during periods of modernization.

Historical context and usage: The keihäsbayonetti concept appears in Finnish military documentation from the turn of the 20th century into the interwar period. Today, surviving examples are relatively rare and are mainly found in museums or private collections. They are primarily of interest to historians and collectors, illustrating how Finland experimented with infantry equipment to adapt to evolving combat demands and local manufacturing conditions.

See also: Bayonet; Spear; Finnish Army; Military equipment of Finland.