American Jukenjutsu - The Bayonet Society

The Problem of Classification

2011-02-13T19:28:00.000-08:00

Pick up any book that catalogs bayonets and it immediately becomes obvious that bayonets have different designs, and with those designs different capabilities - the result is different types of weapons. But there is no common definition of these various types. As a starting point we can identify:

(1) plug bayonets - those designed to be inserted in the barrel of the firearm to create a thrusting weapon (the first generation of bayonet design).

(2) socket bayonets - typically a long, thin flat or triangular blade suitable only for thrusting and fitted with a socket to attach to the rifle (the second generation of bayonet design)

(3) knife bayonets - a bayonet in the shape of a knife, single or double edged.

(4) sword bayonets - those bayonets that have a sword or cutlass guard. More difficult examples to categorize are the yataghan blades and other long, straight blades, clearly of too long a length to be a practical knife, but lacking the guards typically found on swords.

(5) entrenching bayonets - bayonets designed to also serve as entreching tools with a spade like blade.

(6) engineer, pioneer, or sapper bayonets - equipped with a saw edge on the back of the blade.

(7) machete or hewing knife bayonets - equipped with a machete blade or some other form of blade intended as a heavy general purpose hewing tool.

(8) spike bayonets - short, often round, bayonets, often designed to attach to the rifle, and suitable only for thrusting.

This list is probably not all inclusive and is certainly subject to argument. But it serves as a starting point for thinking about the differences in how these weapons might be used in combat.

New Book

2011-02-13T19:22:00.000-08:00

Paul Kiesling's Bayonets of the World: The Comprehensive Edition has been published in a revised edition by SI Publicaties BV of the Netherlands, available from Amazon. With 670 pages and 1000 plus illutrations, this is catalog of 1071 bayonets. From the standpoint of the student of bayonet fencing, the detailed information on length of each model included is important to the construction of adequate simulators for training. And, if you like bayonets, it is just a great browsing book.

The Catalog

2011-01-18T07:12:00.000-08:00

We have started to post a catalog of bayonets on the website. This will be a long, slow process, but as the catalog becomes more extensive we will have a useful reference to typical bayonet and rifle/musket lengths to go with the systems that we are describing for study. A 45, or even 52, inch long wooden bayonet trainer just does not do a good job of simulating bayonet combat with a 58 inch long musket tipped with 16 inches of bayonet.

Two New Books

2011-01-11T16:37:00.000-08:00

We will be adding two new books to the resources page of the website:

Robert W. Shuey's Socket Bayonets of the Great Powers: A Collectors Guide - a thorough pictorial guide to socket bayonets from the United States, Austria, Belgium, Great Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The book is limited, unfortunately, by the lack of two sets of information important to understanding the combat employment (and simulation) of these weapons - there is no data on either the length or weight of the bayonets pictured.

Lieutenant Colonel (Provisional Army of Vrginia) R. Milton Cary's Skirmishers' Drill and Bayonet Exercise of 1861, published as a facsimile edition. This is a translation of the French Army bayonet technique, originally intended for light infantry (chasseurs-a-pied as opposed to line regiments or grenadiers). It was published for the use of the volunteer and elite militia units of the Southern states at the start of the war of 1861-1865.

Bayonet Trainers

2011-01-06T04:37:00.001-08:00

Current bayonet trainers are wooden rifles with a minimal amount of padding at the muzzle end. As a result they are too short for older bayonets, as well as somewhat dangerous for contact work. We have found that moderately stiff circular foam insulation works well as an extension to the rifle. It is flexible, allowing hits, can simulate both sword and regular bayonets, and can be cut to length for the period and weapon with which you are working.

We are currently developing a catalog of typical bayonet lengths, by country and by time period, so that your study of older systems will be more realistic. A musket from the 1800s with a full length sword bayonet is a very different weapon from a modern M-16 with a M-9 bayonet.

Decision Rules for Practical Evaluations

2010-07-08T19:46:00.000-07:00

Each skill evaluated is graded on a 4 point scale based on the evaluator's assessment of the test performance: 1 - unsatisfactory, 2 - needs improvement, 3 - proficient, and 4 - expert. Minimum scores for each level are established as follows:

Levels 1 and 2 - the number of items multiplied by 3 reduced by 1 point for each 5 items. This allows for the junior levels to have some areas that need improvement.

Levels 3 and 4 (for systems with more than 4 levels) - the number of items multiplied by 3. This assumes the test taker has a proficient level of performance in all items, or that the number of needs improvement are balanced by an equivalent number of expert performances.

Level 4 (for systems with only 4 levels) and 5 - the number of items multiplied by 3 plus 1 point for each 5 items. This requires a minimum of fully proficient plus some number of expert performances.

Proficient indicates that the test taker can perform the skills correctly and smoothly and that performance would be effective if the training weapon were equipped with a sharp bayonet.

Expert indicates the standard of proficient is met, plus the test taker clearly has full control of the weapon and acts offensivley in keeping with the spirit of the bayonet.

Burton System Evaluation Form

2010-07-08T19:43:00.000-07:00

We have completed the practical testing form for Burton's 1853 system for the Bombay Army, and it is posted on our Forms page on the website. In the process we have redesigned the form template to make it easier to use for multiple practical tests, and we have also updated the United States Army 1943 practical form.

Burton Drills Added

2010-06-29T11:46:00.001-07:00

It has taken the best part of six months, but we now have a complete set of training drills for Burton's System for the Bombay Army in the 1850s. We will be following this same general model in all future drill sets. The drills attempt to (1) include every action the system uses at least once, and (2) be consistent with a somewhat realistic combat scenario so that actions used make sense together.

Learning Point:

2010-01-21T10:24:00.001-08:00

Currently Len Blasiol and I are working through Lt. Burton's bayonet system of 1853. In that process, it has become apparent that understanding the underlying military drill of the period and country that produced the system may be of critical importance, especially to those of us trained in modern military drill. We puzzled over the instructions as to how to come to guard until we found a diagram that depicted the basic facing movments used by British units in the 1870s and a written description of the drill from before 1820. Making facing movements by pivoting on the heels of both feet is a different experience.

New Seal:

2010-01-21T10:21:00.001-08:00

Our new seal has been produced by Good Characters, and it is now pictured on the front page of the website. The seal will be used on all of our ranking certificates, along with the examiner's seals. I have to say that we have been very pleased by the service Good Characters has given us.

Work Started On Study Guides:

2009-12-24T12:54:00.000-08:00

The ranking system has multiple choice tests at Levels 1, 5, and 7. Although the ranking page on the website provides a brief overview of the subject material to be tested, this guidance is very broad. To help members prepare for the tests, we are starting work on a study guide page that will provide not only a more detailed outline, but also study material that meets the learning objects for these levels. Getting these completed will not be instantaneous, but we expect to have at least the Level 1 - Yellow guide done in January.

Bayonet Training at Salle Green:

2009-12-17T10:30:00.001-08:00

Our host school, Salle Green, will start bayonet training on Wednesday, 23 December, with a short session from 6:00 - 6:30 pm.

Ranking Guides and Evaluation Forms:

2009-12-09T05:25:00.000-08:00

Ranking guides for the United States Army bayonet system of 1943 and John Styers bayonet system of 1952 have been published on the website. In addition, we now have up the evaluation forms for use by examiners for these two systems.

First Ranking Guide Completed:

2009-12-06T04:48:00.000-08:00

We have completed the ranking guide for United States Army bayonet skills as of 1943. To access it go to the Identified Systems page on the website and click on the hyperlink.

One of the obvious issues is that bayonet systems have varied considerably in complexity. Those that clearly owe much of their genesis to classical fencing, and from thence to bayonet fencing (Lidstone's and Hutton's systems are examples), have a wide variety of complex movements. Others are shorter, simpler, and more utilitarian. The skill requirements in the basic ranking system guide is only a guide to the general ranking system, and the specific guides for each system should be followed.

In the Works:

2009-12-04T16:51:00.000-08:00

We are at work developing specific guidelines for the ranking system. The eventual goal will be to develop a ranking matrix applicable to any bayonet system, and that provides equivalent levels of expertise across all of the bayonet systems for which we can obtain accurate information. Although Level 2 might require different skills for the 1918 British and World War II American bayonet systems, the level should represent an equivalent level of technical and tactical skill in both systems. Watch for ranking guidelines as they are completed.