Copyright 2006 T. Sheil & A. Sheil All Rights Reserved
The 1805 text Treatise on the Science of Defense for the Sword, Bayonet and Pike in Close Action by Anthony Gordon relied on pike technique. The bayonet method departs very little from the pike handling of the 17th Century. The pike-style bayonet drill was used by English, Scottish and some Continental armies. At the time, British commanders were divided on the method of bayonet raining. One faction was against it, believing that technique would inhibit the value of mass shock by a charging unit. Others wanted a system of bayonet training to increase troops' chances of success in a bayonet fight,.
The method below is dependent on the pikeman's stance, with the left hand holding the butt. The right-hand-forward method of fighting with pole arms traces to the Middle Ages. This is similar to the stance of medieval soldiers using the pollax.
The pike style of bayonet handling was devised in the 17th century, when musketeers first used bayonets.
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Lunge and parry "pointe volante." |
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In formation, it resembles a line of pikemen. |
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Defense against horseman's sword cut |
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Defense against horseman "giving point" to the right. |
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Strike against cavalry from "near side." |
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Against cavalry, the infantry man "beats him to the punch." |
Disclaimer: the fighting methods shown here are for illustrative purposes only. They are not intended as actual instruction in bayonet fighting and should not be used as such. Close combat training is dangerous. It can be as dangerous for the user as it is for the target. If you wish to learn close combat, seek a qualified instructor. One should never attempt close combat without the instruction and supervision of a qualified expert instructor .
