Bayonets - An Illustrated History

by Martin J. Brayley

The bayonet has long been of interest to military collectors, and its history--going back to the 17th century--is just as fascinating. This spectacular photographic exploration of the weapon begins... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0873498704
• ISBN13: 9780873498708
• Release Date: December 2004
• Publisher: Krause Publications
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 2.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 12.1" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

An in-depth examination of the role of the bayonet in military conflicts worldwide from 1650 to pres

Written by a military photographer of 24 years' experience, Bayonets: An Illustrated History offers an in-depth examination of the role of the bayonet in military conflicts worldwide from 1650 to present. More than 500 photographs enhance Bayonets: An Illustrated History. 300 different types of bayonets are closely scrutinized; almost every photograph features a capsule of notes specific to its topic. The text, while intended more for serious military historian than the lay reader, is highly accessible as it traces the design evolutions and purposes of bayonets as history passed. A welcome contribution to military and weapon history shelves.

Hundreds of Bayonets from all Over the World

The bayonet has not been an effective military weapon since the days of Napoleon. But every military incorporates a bayonet into their latest fully automatic assault weapon and trains their soldiers in their use. In part this is incorporated into military training, I can remember the drill sergeants teaching us to scream, "The spirit of the bayonet is to kill." In reality, I think that if you are spending your days camping out in the woods you find a knife to be invaluable. And if you have a knife, it just as well may have the capability of being attached to the end of your rifle (and a bayonet clip is one of the characteristics that define an Assault Rifle in the US). In turn, bayonets have become collectible items in themselves. In this book, Martin Brayley provides an extensive and in-depth examination of bayonets from 37 countries all around the world, over 300 bayonets in all! He starts with an early plug bayonet, hard to say what rifle it fit as it would work with any rifle of the proper caliber. Then he goes on to the ring or socket bayonets of the 1700's, and from their through the bolt actions of all militaries and on to today's latest designs.