trajan Posted 16 January , 2019 Share Posted 16 January , 2019 Having collected 'Butcher bayonets' for some time now it suddenly occured to me that why I can explain the name (the blade shape and form), I have never seen any reliabloe reference to its first use... It doesn't seem to feature in any of the WW1 memoirs or diaries I have read (a scant few, I confess), nor can I track it down in newspapers. Anyone any ideas? TIA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gernika Posted 16 January , 2019 Share Posted 16 January , 2019 Interesant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Bailey Posted 16 January , 2019 Share Posted 16 January , 2019 (edited) I suspect it was nickname from the British Tommy. The shape of the blade is unlike most bayonets, more like a large knife. Edited 16 January , 2019 by Gunner Bailey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trajan Posted 16 January , 2019 Author Share Posted 16 January , 2019 Yes, I have no problems with explaining the blade shape - but when did the term first come in use? As I said before, I can't find it in any contemporary diaries or newspapers - although I have NOT looked very, very hard... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reese williams Posted 16 January , 2019 Share Posted 16 January , 2019 It comes from the blade shape resembling the shape of a typical butcher's knife. That style seems to be less popular than it once was but is still available from most cutlers. The triangular chef's knife seems to have supplanted this style in most kitchens. Growing up in the 50s/60s if anybody asked for a butcher's knife they got handed something like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trajan Posted 16 January , 2019 Author Share Posted 16 January , 2019 Indeed. The form I am familiar with - but when does the name first appear in print with reference to the S.98/05? 'Handwritten' diary or otherwise? I see lots of anecdotal references to men calling it a 'Butcher bayonet', and everybody today uses the term today - BUT is there a CONTEMPORARY reference to it as a 'Butcher bayonet'? I.e., can anyone refere me to a diary or newspaper account that talks specificallyof the 'Butcher bayonet'... I can find references to saw-backed ones in contemporary diaries, but 'Butcher bayonets'? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMB1943 Posted 16 January , 2019 Share Posted 16 January , 2019 (edited) I wonder if, thousands of German soldiers being armed with them before they were ever glimpsed by the British, the first reference to “butcher blade “ might well be found in German sources (letters home, newspapers, unit war diaries etc). Regards, JMB Edited 16 January , 2019 by JMB1943 Typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AOK4 Posted 16 January , 2019 Share Posted 16 January , 2019 My idea as well, but I couldn't find anything in a few special dictionaries I have about (German) soldier's slang of WWI... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Bailey Posted 16 January , 2019 Share Posted 16 January , 2019 56 minutes ago, JMB1943 said: I wonder if, thousands of German soldiers being armed with them before they were ever glimpsed by the British, the first reference to “butcher blade “ might well be found in German sources (letters home, newspapers, unit war diaries etc). Regards, JMB Yes, quite possible if similar blades were used by German butchers. So the term could date to the 1890's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve1871 Posted 16 January , 2019 Share Posted 16 January , 2019 I always thought the term "BUTCHER" blade or bayonet came from the British propaganda on those "Saw back" versions, and the name stuck for all 98/05's All country's used propaganda, one of the " rumors" the British set out was that the "hun's" were using sawbacks to torture prisoners, the way re- telling goes, torture to the word butcher would seem likely, the story goes that any soldiers caught/ prisoner with a Sawback and the Brits would shoot the officer on site. I have read this in a few places on line and maybe in a book or magazine somewhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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