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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Hooked Quillion


Harry Flashman V.C.

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Hi.

What was the hooked Quillion on the 1907 patt bayonets actually designed for.

When engaging the enemy in a fencing duel! the soldier could supposedly hook the opponents blade and snap the enemys blade by twisting his own rifle, or so that was the thought at the time.
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The British P1907 bayonet for the SMLE rifle was virtually an exact copy of the Japanese Arisaka rifle bayonet which was being trialled, and these happened to feature the hooked quillon.

It was thought that in the struggle of bayonet fighting the hook could assist in wresting the rifle from the grip of the enemy. As it turned out, I don't believe they were of much use and caught on to virtually everything else, including the barbed wire.

Cheers, S>S

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You will find that some fighting swords had across-guard of similar design and purpose. When both thrust and parry resulted in crossed blades under pressure a good twist of the wrist could cause wrist injury to the opponent, dislodge the weapon or, occasionally, snap the blade. As mentioned, of limited use at the end of an SMLE other than in parrying a thrust and preventing the opponents blade from slipping on through. Antony

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