Plug Bayonet
ca. 1680 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Plug bayonet with ivory pique work grip inlaid with silver, with gilt brass mounts, the blade has a gilt stamp with a portrait of William III. Mark: a crowned rose.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Wood with pique work inlaid with silver and gilt brass mounts |
| Brief description | Plug bayonet, pique decorated silver inlaid grip, gilt brass mounts, stamped portrait of William III, England, ca. 1680 |
| Physical description | Plug bayonet with ivory pique work grip inlaid with silver, with gilt brass mounts, the blade has a gilt stamp with a portrait of William III. Mark: a crowned rose. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | gilt stamp with a portrait of William III (The blade) |
| Object history | Bought from Mr. W.O. Oldman for £2 5s in 1904. |
| Historical context | The plug bayonet originated in the late 16th Century and was widely used in European armies from about 1650 to 1720. It continued to be popular on the hunting field for far longer. The conical grip was inserted into the end of the musket barrel converting it into a spear. The main drawbacks were that this prevented any further firing, while a poor fit or fouling of the barrel by unburnt gunpowder resulted in its loss in combat. The period when the plug bayonet was in favour coincided roughly with the transitionary period between pike and shot formations to wholly firearm equipped battalions in Europe. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 797-1904 |
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| Record created | March 26, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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