1872 Toledo spanish dagger/bayonet

Jim McDougall · 20th August 2023, 01:59 AM

As noted, the plug bayonet was indeed obsolete (though giving way to the socket bayonet, which was often deemed the key edged weapon for infantry) by the 18th century. However, Spain, ever conservative and traditional kept its beloved plug bayonet in form well through the 19th century as a hunting weapon and much as with hunting swords, a attractive accoutrement in gentlemans dress.

The shape of the hilt grip though reflecting its former manner of insertion into the muzzle of the gun was retained as a vestigial form only, though as always actual use as intended may have happened in earlier times after the gun was discharged and the hunter was threatened by a wounded animal.

The plug bayonet had great traditional appeal, as well described in the late Roger Evans, "The Plug Bayonet", and these fashionable weapons became stylish daggers and dirks, in which this may be the case.

The dolphin heads quite likely signify naval provenance and reflect the Napoleonic period (as with the scabbard) but with a Toledo blade as popular through the 19th century as the British often commemorated.
My opinions only on a quite attractive dirk, in plug bayonet form.

20th August 2023, 01:59 AM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,292	As noted, the plug bayonet was indeed obsolete (though giving way to the socket bayonet, which was often deemed the key edged weapon for infantry) by the 18th century. However, Spain, ever conservative and traditional kept its beloved plug bayonet in form well through the 19th century as a hunting weapon and much as with hunting swords, a attractive accoutrement in gentlemans dress. The shape of the hilt grip though reflecting its former manner of insertion into the muzzle of the gun was retained as a vestigial form only, though as always actual use as intended may have happened in earlier times after the gun was discharged and the hunter was threatened by a wounded animal. The plug bayonet had great traditional appeal, as well described in the late Roger Evans, "The Plug Bayonet", and these fashionable weapons became stylish daggers and dirks, in which this may be the case. The dolphin heads quite likely signify naval provenance and reflect the Napoleonic period (as with the scabbard) but with a Toledo blade as popular through the 19th century as the British often commemorated. My opinions only on a quite attractive dirk, in plug bayonet form.