A spike bayonet, also known as a pigsticker in informal contexts, is a blade attachment for a firearm taking the form of a pointed spike rather than a knife. Most early musket bayonets were of this type. From around 1800 knife- or sword-style bayonets began to appear, which could also be wielded by hand. In the early 20th century spike bayonets reappeared, often folding or stowed under the barrel for compactness, such as on the French MAS-36, Russian SKS and German FG 42. The spike bayonet was also used on the Russian Mosin–Nagant. The Lee-Enfield No.4 bayonet or Pig-Sticker, was a short spike (but fixed conventionally), and was unpopular due to its length.
Spike bayonets have not been popular with armies since World War II, apart from perhaps China, who attached them to their AK-47 and SKS variants (Type 56 and Type 63), till these rifles started to be replaced by the Type 81 assault rifle, which has a knife bayonet, in the 1980s.
Famous quotes containing the words spike and/or bayonet:
“From a hasty glance through the various tests I figure it out that I would be classified in Group B, indicating “Low Average Ability,” reserved usually for those just learning to speak the English Language and preparing for a career of holding a spike while another man hits it.”
—Robert Benchley (1889–1945)
“The General Order is always to manoeuver in a body and on the attack; to maintain strict but not pettifogging discipline; to keep the troops constantly at the ready; to employ the utmost vigilance on sentry go; to use the bayonet on every possible occasion; and to follow up the enemy remorselessly until he is utterly destroyed.”
—Lazare Carnot (1753–1823)