Muskets, while capable of delivering powerful projectiles over long distances, had a slow rate of fire that left soldiers vulnerable during reloading, making early muskets ineffective in close combat. Thus, 17th-century European infantry regiments included both musketeers and pikemen, with pikemen providing protection and engaging in close-quarter fighting. The introduction of the flintlock musket allowed for quicker firing and less cumbersome handling. Soldiers could use a short knife as a plug bayonet, giving them both a ranged and close-combat weapon, although it couldn’t be fired while attached. The socket bayonet addressed this limitation, establishing the musket/bayonet as the standard infantry weapon from around 1700 to 1870. As rifled firearms emerged, shorter swords were attached to rifle barrels to help fend off cavalry. The small-bore magazine rifle perfected in the 1890s diminished the bayonet's tactical role, leading to smaller, knife-like designs in the world wars. With the rise of assault rifles from the 1950s, the bayonet became a last-resort weapon, often designed with additional functions like a wire-cutter. Ultimately, despite its fearsome reputation, the bayonet's most significant impact was psychological. Featuring vibrant artwork and historical photographs, this narrative explores the evolution of this essential weapon from the era of Louis XIV to contemporary military forces across the globe.
