Bayonets

Bayonets were designed to give the close-quarters combatant a tactical edge with longer reach. Traditionally used on the end of a rifle, there were many designs adopted over the years. From the early, simple plug bayonet (which made it impossible to also fire your gun), to modern representations that no longer pose any hurdle in firing. Size also changed as one-on-one combat became less a part of a battle plan after WWI. From the size of short swords to more manageable combat knives which serve utilitarian purposes, the advent of newer, better firearms made has made them almost obsolete. Almost. Lee Enfields, M1 Garands, and AK 47’s, along with other famous guns, were issued a variant, and many are still in use today, making them highly sought-after collectibles. Although the fighting style has changed, the function and use of today’s bayonets as combat knives are still effective in the field and look intimidating on parade.

Today the bayonet is rarely used in one-on-one combat, thanks to the effectiveness of firearms. The complexity of using a bayonet and the low stopping power of a single bayonet thrust makes it impractical. In modern combat, it's more efficient to put an enemy down with technology and firearms than with a bayonet. Despite its limitations, the bayonet is still issued by many armies. Additionally, the bayonet is still used for controlling prisoners and as a weapon of self-defense, and for utilitarian purposes in camp. Some even claim that training with one teaches a valuable level of aggression on the battlefield.

Current bayonets are often multi-purpose knives, such as the US M9 bayonet, an efficient fighting knife, or the Soviet AKM bayonet, which is also a groundbreaking survival knife that can be used as a wire-cutter. Some bayonets can also be used as utility knives, bottle openers, or throwing knives. There is also the obvious financial benefit of issuing one multi-purpose bayonet/knife as opposed to multiple knives to confuse and burden today’s soldiers.

We feature bayonet replicas, genuine military surplus bayonets, german bayonets, British bayonets, army surplus bayonets for sale, and accessories like hard-to-find scabbards and frogs to carry them accurately. 

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The Blade That Followed the Rifle

A bayonet started as a plain hunting knife, jammed handle first into a musket barrel by soldiers who ran out of powder and time in the same moment. By the time rifles carried purpose built sockets and lugs, the bayonet had become standard issue on every front, from the trenches of the First World War to the jungles of the Second. It turned a firearm into a spear when the fighting closed to arm's length.

We carry that history forward with a range built for collectors and reenactors alike, from faithful WWI reproductions to later military patterns, each one true to the originals soldiers actually carried.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a bayonet used for?
Originally, close quarters combat once a rifle was out of ammunition or too slow to reload. Today, most of ours are collected for their history and craftsmanship rather than practical use.

Are bayonets legal to own?
In most of the United States, yes, as a collectible edged weapon. Some states and localities do restrict certain blade lengths or fixed blade knives, so it is worth checking your local laws before you buy.

What is the difference between a bayonet and a knife?
A bayonet is built to mount onto a rifle barrel, usually with a socket, ring, or lug, and is designed as much for that fit as for the blade itself. A standalone knife has no such mounting hardware.

Do you carry WWI and WWII bayonets?
We do. Our lineup runs from World War I trench era patterns through World War II military issue styles, along with scabbards to match.

Where can I buy a bayonet?
You are already here. Browse our full collection of bayonets for sale, from historical reproductions to later military pattern pieces.

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