What about plug bayonets?

Jim McDougall · 3rd October 2008, 07:56 AM

You're right Fernando! The plug bayonet is indeed a fascinating weapon, which seems to have survived much longer than supposed, due to its continued use well into the 19th century as a hunting weapon.

How appropriate that you open this interesting topic with a truly 'flagship' weapon as this.

I agree with Andrew, the filework on this is incredibly attractive, and as you note, seems characteristic of Andulusian pieces. It seems in looking through the important work on these weapons by R.D.C.Evans ("The Plug Bayonet ", London, 2002), the cylindrical pommel caps occur significantly on Catalonian and Valencian versions. However, they also appear on some Germanic examples , which seem to come from the Low Countries. It is noted that many weapons were exported to Portugal from Liege, who favored the Germanic influences. On one example in Evans (p.119) it is quite early, c.1700, and the cup shaped ferrule of 'Germanic form' is invested in the forward surface of the grip swell, supporting your note on that feature.

It seems in another discussion, you did quite a bit of work researching the wood in this grip, you refer to 'holm'. Could you say more on that?

All the best,
Jim

3rd October 2008, 07:56 AM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	You're right Fernando! The plug bayonet is indeed a fascinating weapon, which seems to have survived much longer than supposed, due to its continued use well into the 19th century as a hunting weapon. How appropriate that you open this interesting topic with a truly 'flagship' weapon as this. I agree with Andrew, the filework on this is incredibly attractive, and as you note, seems characteristic of Andulusian pieces. It seems in looking through the important work on these weapons by R.D.C.Evans ("The Plug Bayonet ", London, 2002), the cylindrical pommel caps occur significantly on Catalonian and Valencian versions. However, they also appear on some Germanic examples , which seem to come from the Low Countries. It is noted that many weapons were exported to Portugal from Liege, who favored the Germanic influences. On one example in Evans (p.119) it is quite early, c.1700, and the cup shaped ferrule of 'Germanic form' is invested in the forward surface of the grip swell, supporting your note on that feature. It seems in another discussion, you did quite a bit of work researching the wood in this grip, you refer to 'holm'. Could you say more on that? All the best, Jim