Ethnographic bayonets question

Jim McDougall · 21st June 2010, 06:24 PM

In colonial times European armies often had great respect for ethnic and native forces who fought against them with valor, and admired not only thier stamina in battle but the weapons they used. In many cases they adopted thier own examples or versions of these weapons, for example this was the case with the introduction of the mameluke sabre into British, French and even American military officers sabres. In the British Raj there were countless examples of the hybridization of British and Indian edged weapons.

The British Army respected the Nepalese Gurkhas above all, and developed regiments of these fierce warriors into thier ranks. Eventually the tribally distinct 'kukri' became produced by British manufacturers as regulation weapons, and of course the bayonets as well as mentioned.

In this same sense, the French much admired the Berber warriors in Algeria and in 1831 created special units of Zouaoua Berbers of the Jurjura regions in Kabylia for infantry. By 1842, the use of sword type bayonets and the type with yataghan (for its similarity to the recurved blade on the Ottoman sword by that name) came into use. In the M1866 Chassepot rifle, the same style 'yataghan' blade was used. While the blade style reflected again, the Ottoman style weapon, and the uniforms were of the 'exotic oriental' fashion, the use of these yataghan bayonets was universally applied. These units, which became known as 'Zouaves' were brought into American military in Union forces during the Civil War, and similarily fashioned units were used by the Polish/Lithuanian forces against Russia in the 1880s.

Although not ethnographic weapons per se, these regulation bayonets do reflect ethnographic origins, and via that association certainly show an interesting perspective. Despite the obvious disparity often reflected in contemporary narratives concerning these conflicts, there was indeed a deep respect and admiration for the native warriors the colonial forces faced.

I cannot think of examples beyond the kukri and yataghan forms, but it would be interesting to see others.

It should be noted as well that the Spanish plug bayonet was still produced in its original form long after its prescribed use had ceased, and used as a hunting weapon. The use of the bayonet was primarily secondary with the use of single shot guns which left the individual unarmed until he had time to reload. Obviously in a combat melee or attack by a wounded animal in the hunt, this was unlikely.

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21st June 2010, 06:24 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,470	In colonial times European armies often had great respect for ethnic and native forces who fought against them with valor, and admired not only thier stamina in battle but the weapons they used. In many cases they adopted thier own examples or versions of these weapons, for example this was the case with the introduction of the mameluke sabre into British, French and even American military officers sabres. In the British Raj there were countless examples of the hybridization of British and Indian edged weapons. The British Army respected the Nepalese Gurkhas above all, and developed regiments of these fierce warriors into thier ranks. Eventually the tribally distinct 'kukri' became produced by British manufacturers as regulation weapons, and of course the bayonets as well as mentioned. In this same sense, the French much admired the Berber warriors in Algeria and in 1831 created special units of Zouaoua Berbers of the Jurjura regions in Kabylia for infantry. By 1842, the use of sword type bayonets and the type with yataghan (for its similarity to the recurved blade on the Ottoman sword by that name) came into use. In the M1866 Chassepot rifle, the same style 'yataghan' blade was used. While the blade style reflected again, the Ottoman style weapon, and the uniforms were of the 'exotic oriental' fashion, the use of these yataghan bayonets was universally applied. These units, which became known as 'Zouaves' were brought into American military in Union forces during the Civil War, and similarily fashioned units were used by the Polish/Lithuanian forces against Russia in the 1880s. Although not ethnographic weapons per se, these regulation bayonets do reflect ethnographic origins, and via that association certainly show an interesting perspective. Despite the obvious disparity often reflected in contemporary narratives concerning these conflicts, there was indeed a deep respect and admiration for the native warriors the colonial forces faced. I cannot think of examples beyond the kukri and yataghan forms, but it would be interesting to see others. It should be noted as well that the Spanish plug bayonet was still produced in its original form long after its prescribed use had ceased, and used as a hunting weapon. The use of the bayonet was primarily secondary with the use of single shot guns which left the individual unarmed until he had time to reload. Obviously in a combat melee or attack by a wounded animal in the hunt, this was unlikely.