A PLUG BAYONET

[fernando]

Thank you Spiral.
So its Azinheira ( Holm ) a variant of Carvalho ( Oak ).
I will follow that.
Kind regards
fernando

[The Double D]

Has the handle on this bayonet been replaced? It just doesn't look right to me, to much taper

[fernando]

Originally Posted by The Double D

Has the handle on this bayonet been replaced? It just doesn't look right to me, to much taper

It has already been observed above that the mountings are of a later date, although not necessarily ungenuine. To my humble view there is nothing wrong with the peened tang handle , as i see examples in the Net with a similar tapering.

[The Double D]

Originally Posted by fernando

It has already been observed above that the mountings are of a later date, although not necessarily ungenuine. To my humble view there is nothing wrong with the peened tang handle , as i see examples in the Net with a similar tapering.

I brought it up because the plug bayonets I have seen have a more parallel lower section to fit in the bore more solidly and snuggly.

Could this not be a plug bayonet but something else of the same family?

[fernando]

Originally Posted by The Double D

Could this not be a plug bayonet but something else of the same family?

In the meantime i have managed to check with some more experts in this matter.
This being a plug or hunting bayonet, the spirit remains the same. It has a stylized handle all right, but still is consistent and within the family. It could be because, at a prior late stage, musket barrels became narrower, and at a further late stage the actual use on weapons pluging was dropped but the handle style prevailed in hunting bayonets, as also in a certain manner observed by Jim.

[The Double D]

That makes a lot of sense Fernando...part of the evolution of the knife and its use.

[spiral]

Originally Posted by fernando

Thank you Spiral.
So its Azinheira ( Holm ) a variant of Carvalho ( Oak ).
I will follow that.
Kind regards
fernando

Indeed so Fernando! we call it Holm oak as well.

Spiral

[fernando]

Originally Posted by spiral

Indeed so Fernando! we call it Holm oak as well.

It all makes sense, considering your previous posting. I have checked the woods used in naval architecture in the old days ( Portuguese discoveries ). Holm ( azinho ) was used in the small parts of ships skeletons. Very hard stuff. I also think i remember seeing this wood, full of vains, in carpenter planes.