North+West African ram rods

Tim Simmons · 28th November 2017, 09:45 AM

This bayonet is no longer mine. If you are a regular you may have noticed it on the swap forum. I was really pleased to receive these photos from the recipient in the swap, showing how the bayonet fitted this long Dane Gun. I am informed that this example of gun is long and that many of the West African made guns where a lot shorter making the bayonet a more practical weapon. It is a little awkward but I think no less useful than a plug bayonet when the time came to using it. Even attached to the ram rod I think you could stick someone with it. I just feel the pictures are worth a viewing and the gun with bayonet is a very cool addition to any gun collection. He did well?

thinreadline · 28th November 2017, 12:07 PM

This is extremely interesting , there is very little precedent for bayonets being used in Africa outside of native troops in Colonial service , but I do agree it does look as though it could have attached to a ramrod or other projection from a musket . Although it looks style on the lebel and perhaps copied in N Africa from French troops bayonets , it seems strange that an actual lebel 'blade' was not used as the region must have been slewing with them ! When I first saw your 'bayonet' I immediately thought this was a piece of trench art from WW1 designed to slot on to something and act as a short flag pole or somesuch.
Very nice , I wish I had spotted it when it was for sale I would have loved to have this !

28th November 2017, 09:45 AM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	This bayonet is no longer mine. If you are a regular you may have noticed it on the swap forum. I was really pleased to receive these photos from the recipient in the swap, showing how the bayonet fitted this long Dane Gun. I am informed that this example of gun is long and that many of the West African made guns where a lot shorter making the bayonet a more practical weapon. It is a little awkward but I think no less useful than a plug bayonet when the time came to using it. Even attached to the ram rod I think you could stick someone with it. I just feel the pictures are worth a viewing and the gun with bayonet is a very cool addition to any gun collection. He did well? Attached Images

28th November 2017, 12:07 PM	#2
thinreadline Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,204	This is extremely interesting , there is very little precedent for bayonets being used in Africa outside of native troops in Colonial service , but I do agree it does look as though it could have attached to a ramrod or other projection from a musket . Although it looks style on the lebel and perhaps copied in N Africa from French troops bayonets , it seems strange that an actual lebel 'blade' was not used as the region must have been slewing with them ! When I first saw your 'bayonet' I immediately thought this was a piece of trench art from WW1 designed to slot on to something and act as a short flag pole or somesuch. Very nice , I wish I had spotted it when it was for sale I would have loved to have this !