British Samurai Bayonets - 1907 Pattern & Arisaka

There is a connection between WW1 era British bayonets and Japanese samurai swords and knives that most people don't know about. Here we look at the 1907 pattern British bayonet and its inspiration the Type 30 Arisaka.
Extra videos on Patreon: / scholagladiatoria

[@DontKeeptheFaith]

Two points; one- that rifle and that sword are freaking beautiful; two- those barn doors are an excellent backdrop.

[@andrewshute9761]

Sooo true. I couldn't concentrate for a couple of seconds.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Thanks.

[@Matt_The_Hugenot]

Double door garage with a dirty great sword between them!

[@perfectibility999]

I was just about to say the wood on those barn doors looks fantastic.

[@baysword]

But no wall of swords!

[@sakshampandey7342]

Ahhh, I remember those old days. Me comparing sword tips with friends. I remember one of my friends had a zweihander, who made a comment about the reach of my tulwar. I stole his scabbard.

[@UnclePutte]

Bangers and mashimi for everyone!

[@sb-ant6457]

'Fix bayonets' is one of those orders that doesn't come with a side salad

[@ibeam06]

Just meat.

[@rodchallis8031]

My father (1st RCR, Sicilian, Italian and Scheldt campaigns) told me that the order, and the noise of "fix bayonets" always cleared a German position without having to actually do a bayonet assault. I'm not sure if that was a singular event, or it happened a couple of times. I don't imagine they were often within shouting distance of each other in that war, at least not in terms of battle lines, so I think it was used infrequently.

[@tonarsilverwolf6485]

all I can think of is the deathcorps of krieg from warhammer 40K

[@PJDAltamirus0425]

It is a statement to the enemy that not only will you just whatever it takes to win but also do whatever it takes to kill the man ahead of you.

[@LS-sp5hr]

@@rodchallis8031 That's essentially the reason Lloyd from Lindybeige argues that bayonets save lives. He's got a whole video where he essentially said that "no one sticks around to get stabbed with a bayonet"

[@harvestn9841]

Proof that Edward VII was a massive weeb.

[@Albukhshi]

IRL though, he actually respected the Japanese. When the Kaiser started railing on about the "Yellow menace" of the Japanese, Edward basically implied to him that he was full of shit, by casually stating that the only difference he saw between a European and a Japanee guy was skin color. (Incidentally, the guy was pissed at the use of the N-word--which he deemed an outrage, which gives you an idea of what sort of guy we're dealing with).

[@ericfavre2301]

LMAO !!!!

[@PJDAltamirus0425]

@@Albukhshi Truly ahead of his time in not being racist

[@martinstevens3629]

Love the little Dads Army reference at the end, “they don’t like it up em”

[@buttslane4491]

As usual from you, a very informative video. Though it would be misleading to draw the inference that the immediately pre-1914 British army based its infantry tactics on simple bayonet charges. Beginning in the earlier part of the 19th century, British light infantry had been developing fire and movement techniques which gradually spread throughout the army, especially from the experience of the two Boer wars. By 1914 fire and movement was the primary tactic of regular British troops - it was the decimation of this army during 1914-15 that led to the raising of a mass, hastily trained army of volunteers and then conscripts that what were effectively human wave tactics were adopted.

[@thehowlingmisogynist9871]

Excellent point - Wellington's army developed tactics where the threat of the bayonet was paramount. Attacking French columns would receive volley after volley of musketry, and when they got close to the British line, the redcoats would charge with bayonets fixed. It was more of a psychological weapon - complelling the enemy to flee rather than continue with their asault

[@johnfisk811]

Was not a reason for the straight top edge of the Model 1907 to make the axis of the point closer to the axis of the rifled pike aka SMLE>

[@Mystakaphoros]

That is a historical connection I never would have expected. Thank you for sharing!

[@mattfick5502]

... I only noticed the huge montante 3 minutes into the video Great backdrop, by the way

[@matthewpham9525]

No wonder I always confused those two bayonets. I was always trying to figure out why a Type 30 was on an Enfield before realizing that they bayo wasn’t a Type 30

[@DavidB5501]

Relations between Britain and Japan relations in this period went beyond just being 'friendly'. From 1902 onwards there was a formal alliance between them, which was important in Japan's preparation for war with Russia in 1904. And in WW1 itself, Japan was an active combatant against Germany, taking advantage of the opportunity to snaffle German colonies in the Pacific. Who knew?

[@OnboardG1]

DavidB5501 The Russians nearly ended up at war with Britain too thanks to the incompetence of their Baltic fleet IIRC.

[@DavidB5501]

@@OnboardG1 Yes, I think on its journey through the North Sea the Russian fleet fired on some British fishing boats, thinking they were Japanese!

[@IndraKatiK]

I clicked the title sooo fast i questioned my weebness

[@Krim_The_Crow]

I have been fortunate enough to inherit one of each of those bayonets. They are beautiful in person, and I imagine more so on the end of a rifle. I wondered why they were different, so it's interesting to learn why the longer on is designed that way. I also have, from what I can tell, an 1856 Pioneer Sawback sword (with Wilkinson markings.) Fascinating thing. Hope too potentially see a video on one at some point.

[@MtnTow]

I really want a pioneer cutlass but not sure i want a sawback. Can you make a video of it to show how the teeth are made, etc?

[@EliotChildress]

Literally moved to Japan today! So thanks for the video I’m just going to assume was made for me :)

[@diestormlie]

I always the understood the long bayonet requirements being derived from the demand for a Rifle/Bayonet combination to outreach a Mounted Cavalryman with a Sabre, rather than a generic "opposition."

[@TheLH86]

Honestly, thats the same concern as having a reach disadvantage. A reach disadvantage is problematic in infantry hand to hand and disastrous against cavalry. Essentially the concern is the same with different magnitudes of negative consequences depending on your opponent.

[@greenmachine1987]

Please do make a Mk. 3 Vs No. 4 video. I have both and have always preferred the No. 4 in terms of functionality.

[@lancerd4934]

Yeah I don't think there's much of an argument for the SMLE being a better rifle. It just _looks_ nicer, aesthetically.

[@scholagladiatoria]

I suspect that No.4s were being generally made to lower standards due to wartime resource pressures - if you look at photos of D-Day preparations you'll see paras armed with SMLEs in preference to No.4s. And the SMLE was prevalent in the Far East, by both British and Indian forces. To me the No.4 feels like a budget version.

[@TasDave]

As the No.4 only started production in 1941 there were still whole units armed with the No1Mk3. We sent over 50,000 from Australia to lend a hand when things kicked off. The Ishapore and Lithgow production was high enough that British units transferring to the far east turned in their No4's and were issued No1Mk3's from Indian and Australian stocks.

[@greenmachine1987]

@@scholagladiatoria I can appreciate what you mean, they definitely simplified some aspects of the design to reduce machining time and reduce weight. To me, and it might just be my examples, but my No.4 has a smoother and faster bolt throw than the Mk3.

[@clasdauskas]

@@scholagladiatoria Given that WW1 SMLEs were manufactured in a peddled system, I wouldn't hold out too much hope of them being higher quality :)

[@bacon81]

That samurai sword looks like a high quality example. Can you do a video giving it a closer look?

[@lalli8152]

I think its dynasty forge one. It has been in few videos already. I think he will eventually review all dynasty forges blades he received

[@winstonpope2898]

@@lalli8152 if I had a dollar for every "eventual" Matt video...

[@shotou]

Nice to see the new filming location, but the audio needs some adjustment.

[@britishmilitaryhistory]

A very honorable bayonet.

[@elperronimo]

Extremery honourabru

[@BIGRAB9]

i still have my grandfathers ww1 bayonet and did not know this. very interesting also are the britsh bayonets folded steel

[@scholagladiatoria]

No, European blades from this period are made of 'cast steel', which is technically superior to folded steel - you only fold steel to even out the impurities if you are not able to melt it.

[@aldor9357]

Just the tip is fine~~

[@usaisthebestiockdownpoiice816]

for some reason i remembered mio sakamoto

[@act.13.41]

The lighting in the barn is excellent for video quality.

[@frankharr9466]

I didn't know that! One has to remember that influence goes both ways. It's not one way or the other.

[@compatriot852]

I have my hands on an American Remington 1917. Definitely a beautiful blade and interesting seeing the evolution of these blades throughout the war

[@Tomartyr]

Does this mean that a reproduction of the 1907 Pattern would be banned in the UK as a 'samurai sword' and therefore an 'offensive weapon'?

[@MrPanos2000]

I wouldnt be surprised if it was hahahaha. Our continent is a comedy sometimes. Last month I finally got my... sword license here in Greece and my friends in Italy are on the process of having theirs issued too. Sword license dude, background checks and phyciatrical evaluation and all that. Consider yourself VERY lucky you dont have that one at least in Britain and can have as many swords as you like. The cops said they wont issue me more than 10 in the future (one license= one sword).

[@SmevMev]

To be fair, any court that ruled a bayonet *wasn't* an offensive weapon would have to be several sandwiches short of a picnic

[@lancerd4934]

@Bill Whittaker depends where you put the water pistol... yeah, that'd be pretty offensive all right.

[@thatchannel195]

@@MrPanos2000 as a Greek American I guess I'll stay in America thn..

[@williamphillips6779]

Warms my frozen heart to see Matt holding my favorite rifle in the world.... More so to hear that he actually shoots it! One of mine is a 1916 BSA with a 1916-dated P1907 Wilkinson bayonet. Now I think I'll need go out to my back yard and go through a magazine or two (or, rather, a magazine and a couple chargers)…..

[@arthurdowney2846]

🎶Captain Context He's a hero Gonna get specific with his info🎶

[@thelegendaryklobb2879]

So the SMLE with its bayonet attached is actually more a naginata than a spear

[@Isildun9]

That was the reasoning behind so many nations switching to a sword/knife bayonet from a spike. The bladed bayonet essentially turned the rifle into a glaive, giving the soldier the option of thrusting and slashing, as opposed to just the thrust with a spike, like the Russians and French bayonets of the time.

[@youtubevoice1050]

I highly doubt that. The whole balance is so off, if would never work well for slashing, while stabbing is still much more damaging with less effort.

[@TheTruth-xp2of]

Bayonet fighting is a completely different school to both the spear and naginata. Incidentally, sporterized bayonet fighting in Japan survives in the form of Jukendo. Jukendo tournament: kzbin.info/www/bejne/noPQdaydjbqWY7M Jukendo vs Naginata sparring: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXyQlmh4d5aljpI

[@tichburyfan]

The Australian 4th Light Horse Brigade (mounted infantry) used their 1907 pattern bayonets in lieu of swords during the attack on the wells at Beersheba in 1917. Slashing at Turks with these bayonets from horseback worked extremely well and won the day. Stabbing would only have resulted in the loss of the bayonets, which are often referred to as "sword bayonets" by military historians. The film "The Lighthorsemen" recreated this attack fairly accurately, including the use of these sword bayonets to slash rather than stab.

[@Deerygccawwetthjbgde]

Just astonishing... Thank you for uploading another video from a Japanese fan!

[@gregoryvigneault1824]

I have a 1941 example which is blunted from war use but is quite the effective chopping weapon! Probably due to it's similarity with the Japanese bayonet. It's balance is forward of the hilt and the hefty blade has a strong taper so it cuts through sticks and vines like nothing, very useful.

[@LawL_LawL]

Did anyone else notice the picture of British infantry in the First World War has a creepy ghost-like face in it? It's around knee-level of the left leg of the man closest to the camera.

[@EmilReiko]

So you can cut atoms and split tanks with 1907 pattern British bayonets, who knew

[@Hambokuu]

"India, Africa and Elsweyr"? I didn't know the British Empire colonized the Khajiiti?

[@sebastianriemer1777]

The SMLE is the prettiest rifle in existence, in my humble opinion.

[@scholagladiatoria]

I love the look of it as well. I always wanted one since I watched Lawrence of Arabia as a kid (and it's still my favourite movie).

[@neilmorrison7356]

I have and shoot a No 4

[@greenmachine1987]

Iconic, for sure. Also credit to the original Gewehr 1898. The Peruvian Export models are still stunning.

[@sebastianriemer1777]

@@greenmachine1987 a friend of my owns a Peru Mauser. It's a nice gun indeed but the SMLE just has a special touch to it. Nr4 is the ugly duckling of the family in my eyes. If I ever get a chance to own a rifle (the gun laws are kind of stupid in Germany) it would be an INDIAN mark 3 converted to .308.

[@greenmachine1987]

The Ishapore Mk3's with the wire banded stocks are pretty unique looking as well. The No.4 is definitely the most utilitarian, the Mk3 is a far better wall-hanger (or club). I just have had much better luck shooting my No4 compared with the Mk3. The aperture sights on the No4 are infinitely better than the leaf and blade sights on the Mk3, and the No4 is more accurate and has a much smoother bolt throw. Triggers are about the same on both of mine. I have a No4 MK1's, the No4 Mk2's (late and post WW2 Mfg) have far better triggers and are by far the most accurate of the bunch. I would strongly consider getting one in .303, not .308, guns always seem to fare better with the round they were designed for, I'd only get the .308 if you absolutely can't get any good surplus .303 ammo, the Greek stuff is the best I've seen on the market.

[@crozraven]

Apparently, Bayonet also have its own Japanese MA, called "Jukendo," just like naginata & sword fighting schools.

[@iatsd]

Most of the schools of jukendo actually derive from a 19th century British Army manual of arms for bayonet fighting, variously modified over time. The Japanese Army adopted the British Army's manual and then independent schools sprang up in Japan over time as a martial art in its own right. Possibly the only "Japanese" martial art to have come from Britain.

[@lugwrench9832]

I have had a model 1907 SMLE bayonet and scabbard for now close to 50 years. Many people don't know that, in addition to Wilkinson, there were several other manufacturers, one of which was Chapman. The one I own is a Chapman, manufactured 1916, and oddly enough it still retains the original bluing, which is actually more gray then anything else. Based on that, I assume that this particular bayonet did not see combat service. I know where I got it, (US), but I forget what I paid for it.... I bought it from a friend, and I don't think I paid any more than about $10 for it at the time. What a bargain !

[@cmikles1]

I got a similar bayonet from a knife shop when I was a teenager. I had no idea what it was, but I knew it was old a British. They were in a barrel and covered in cosmoline with CETME bayonets. I got one of each. I pulled it out a couple years ago and realized it was a Wilkerson. One of the few times mall ninja teenager me made a good decision.

[@WilderManize]

was the "they don't like it up um"' a Dad's Army reference? what a win lol

[@najroe]

cpl Jones?

[@WilderManize]

@@najroe permission to speak sir, yess indeed jones

[@peepgames4985]

Cheers Matt 🎉 thank you for the videos ! I simply cannot get enough context

[@colbunkmust]

at 6:09 I'm sort of dubious about the WW2 Bansai charges being "effective". Sure, it scared the crap out of US troops when it was encountered, and is naturally going to be something that stuck with veterans that faced them but I don't recall any instances where Bansai charges were used successfully to take US positions and using that tactic completely negated the the use of their most effective small arms(Type 96/99 LMGs). Especially since by 1942 almost all US troops were issued with either semi-automatic or fully automatic weapons, most Bansai charges never even made it to US lines. Edit: some people are saying I'm forgetting about the bayonet charges used by the Japanese early in the war against forces like the ROC and PRC in China. Those actions were not Banzai charges, Banzai or "gyokusai" were by definition suicide charges and last ditch actions to prevent capture and gain an honorable death. The successful charges early in the war against the Chinese armies can hardly be considered "suicidal" or "last ditch".

[@J_n..]

The US was only one of many enemies the Japanese fought in WW2.

[@michaelrandallperc]

ColBunkMust As the war wound on the Americans learned that the Banzai charge signaled the end of Japanese resistance and started to welcome it as it meant the enemy was above ground and easier to kill as opposed to having to dig them out of bunkers. I seem to recall the commander of Iwo Jima forbade Banzai charges, preferring to force the Americans to come to them.

[@SquareHeadSlacker]

He's probably referring more to battles against the Chinese, who weren't anywhere near as well equipped as the US.

[@harrybuttery2447]

They worked early on but the circumstances were much different then. Once the allies adapted to Jungle fighting, sent better troops, gained air and naval superiority and turned the Japanese on to the defensive it turned into a suicidal charge in most cases. Enemy units penetrating the jungle, passing your lines and then rushing at your flank and rear out of nowhere works well, bayonet charges against allied landings when they know all they have to do is hold the beach and they have air and naval support is just a one sided massacre.

[@colbunkmust]

@@J_n.. the vast majority of causalities inflicted on the Japanese military were conducted by US forces

[@HeiniSauerkraut]

as I said before. This is a very nice SMLE! :-)

[@Scott-qq9jd]

Nice job slipping in a reference to Dad's Army. They don't like it up 'em. They do not like it up 'em!

[@lancerd4934]

I always wondered as compared to who? Does anyone _like_ it up em? The French perhaps?

[@Scott-qq9jd]

@@lancerd4934 Well, Corporal Jones never was very specific. Zulus don't like it up 'em, fuzzy wuzzies don't like it up 'em, Italians and Germans don't like it up 'em.

[@benstoyles1297]

The hook quillon is similar to the japanese Jitte too, although that maybe more of a convergent evolution thing since they seem to start popping up on european bayos in the 1860's.

[@obediahvondeath4755]

Ive got one of these!

[@MadManchou]

Next up - video on the Rosalie ? :) "by that point, the French as well [were doctrinally enclined to use the bayonet]" Well to be fair, France was doctrinally into shock tactics from the Revolution up to WW1 - with the exception of the late 2nd Empire, whose defeat in 1870 only encouraged the High Command to put shock back as the core tactic. And the last time French soldiers charged with their bayonets was in 1994 in Sarajevo.

[@jamessullivan586]

I think that's the last time the French charged anywhere in the battle

[@MadManchou]

@@jamessullivan586 Well, I mean, charging *without* bayonets doesn't bring you much ; you're basically just running from cover to cover.

[@nathanbrown8680]

@@MadManchou You can also charge with lances or sab(er/re)s or those things that get called sab(er/re)s but definitely aren't. I don't think France had any horse cavalry by 1994, though.

[@angloirishcad]

Yes, although that was only at platoon or company strength from memory. A better example is the Falklands where whole battalions charged up the hillsides. There is Argentinian video testimony of facing screaming paras with bayonets fixed. They were also used lethally once the positions were reached

[@velazquezarmouries]

for the lenght of the bsyonet's blade I'll say that it would be clasified as a kodachi

[@DonatoVicenti]

Fascinating

[@fugu_facesr.7081]

Thanks for the info!!

[@cetate93]

I own an unshortened 1907 Pattern! It came on an Ishapore 2A1(the 7.62x51mm NATO chambered SMLE made in the 1960s). Mine's made in April 1915 by Sanderson. Very fun blade.

[@mikesmith2102]

Thank God for the Empire.

[@SoSoMikaela]

Gorgeous rifle.

[@Ming1975]

Naginata rifle? Awesome!

[@brittakriep2938]

In the saber collection of the ,Wehrgeschichtliches Museum' ( museum of military history) in Rastatt (Germany) there is the saber of an admiral of the german imperial navy. I was astonished, why there is a strip/layer of copper between the blade and the hilt. The solution: a japanese katana blade with a german hilt/handle of this time. The blade was a present to the german admiral and with the german handle he used it as his service saber.

[@arx3516]

Probably the admiral received a katana, not just the blade. Katanas can be taken apart without much effort.

[@brittakriep2938]

@ARX351: It was some years ago, when i was in this museum the last time. So i do not rember the correct words of the display text.

[@James-Burton]

I want that zweihander!

[@Momo_Kawashima]

I wonder if you could put an M1907 bayonet on an MLE, like, the long lee enfield. Very long rifle, extremely long bayonet, that'd be a beast at charging

[@ArcanisUrriah]

I didn't know this. Now I do.

[@SchlangeVonEden]

Incidentally, the German Military uses a "westernised tanto"-pattern combat knife as standard issue (the Kampfmesser 2000). I don't know whether it can be attached as a bayonet though.

[@ram281009]

KM2000 is not designed to be attached as a bayonet

[@parabellum9168]

Great video sir

[@TheFlyguywill]

I really hope that Superdry company gives you free shirts for all the free sponsorship you do

[@robgoodsight6216]

Matt thank you for your as always exhaustive videos... ...would it be then possible a Bloke on the range connection/ video? 🙂

[@Draconis555]

Why bayonets have either whole length single edge or whole length double edge? To my understanding bayonet on the rifle was used mainly like a spear and bayonet in a hand was used mainly as a tool. So It makes sense to have a false blade at least close to the guard to put there a thumb.

[@leppeppel]

I'm enjoying this discussion of reach... in front of a massive Zweihänder.

[@moffatt43]

Rifles with bayonets attached could also be used as a aid to defensive position by pushing the rifle into the ground at a angle. Obviously one man can only fire one weapon ( it utilises weapons of killed soldiers ) but used as pikes in the ground it really aided the defending force. Try running at a trench being shot at and as you get closer you can see the glint coming off the bayonets of the rifles in the ground in a line ahead of the trench....quite demoralising

[@sushanalone]

0:09 Matt, you yourself made a video about how a Katana is not a 'Samurai' Sword as it was used by all soldiers but the 'Wakizashi' is as it was a symbol of holding that station.

[@jeanvonestling7408]

Good that it has the blood groove, so it is not blocked in enemies body after stabbing.

[@lancerd4934]

I feel triggered

[@LeonidasRex1]

Do it. Be triggered. Do it. DO IT.

[@chringlanthegreat4556]

Last time I was this early there was still a British empire

[@lancerd4934]

So, 1997?

[@DarkSoulSama]

Obviously, the British knew they were about to face opponents with rifles, so decided to adopt a type of bayonet that could cut enemy rifle barrels clean off. :P

[@MtnTow]

😂

[@SilverforceX]

It's interesting to read ww2 history account from Japanese commanders, who forbid banzai charges unless they were out of ammo or other means to fight. They knew it was stupid and pointless by the time of machine guns and all the modern weapons.. but the thing is, it was still very effective, when they had no more options. I've read some accounts of severe casualties inflicted on the US marines, almost 1:1 despite one side being bayonet + katana vs automatic gun and rifles. One account, a japanese soldier was shot repeatedly and he still kept on charging and killed several marines before finally being put down with a headshot.

[@kwanarchive]

Watching this video, I think we know where the whole "gun makes a sound every time it moves" movie trope comes from...

[@VVraiy_Of_Aodhan]

When Matt said at 7:29 that the SMLE (referencing the No. 1) is a better riffle then the No. 4, my Canadian ego and nationalistic pride got bruised... Then I remembered that it wasn't just manufactured in Toronto, Canada as well as the fact that the No. 1 Mk III* is my favorite rifle.

[@clasdauskas]

I would like to hear the reasons he believes exist for the SMLE being better than the No 4. (I know of none; maybe I will learn something).

[@frogman4700]

why is the cutting edge on the bottom and not the top? seems like it would be more effective with it on top (like with your standard AK bayonet) because you have gravity aiding the cut if you stab someone and try to lift them that way.

[@rahowherox1177]

Probably for slashing up and right swinging down and left... well down in relation to rifle. Like a machete is used.

[@andrewjones5513]

A few years ago i was in a junk shop in Dublin , where i spotted a 1907 with a quillion on sale for 15 pounds , needless to say i very quickly brought it !

[@knutdergroe9757]

It was not just reach was not the size of the enemies bayonet. It is because of calvary, And being up against horse mounted troops. But also for use against a horse. Everyone mistakes that it is about reach. You should know better. The shorter bayonet is so much easier to use, and faster. The blade of bayonets where 18-24 inches or more in 1870, by 1914 most were 18-12 inches. By 1918 10 inches was common. By 1945 most bayonets 6-8 inches. The problem becomes much more. Called over penetration. If the bayonet goes thru your target, then sticks in what is behind..... Now you lose both rifle and bayonet.

[@2adamast]

Knut Der Große Nevertheless lances and quarter staff were throughout history longer than your view of optimal

[@HeiniSauerkraut]

they should have better looked for the effective and devastating use of machine guns by the Russians in that war.

[@scholagladiatoria]

The British, Americans, French and Germans had already led the way on machinegun use in the previous four decades. There wasn't much they could learn from the Russians in that regard.

[@JamesLaserpimpWalsh]

Well, you learn something new every day. Thanks for the upload, very informative cheers.

[@ramibairi5562]

What advantages does this bayonet have compared to other patterns ?

[@zacharycondon1098]

Rami Bairi its been folded a thousand times and is sharp enough to cut throught a tank 😛

[@moredistractions]

That's very fascinating. I had no clue of the relation. Long ago I bought a group of bayonets from the widow of a WWII vet. Among other things, it had that pattern of bayonet only Australian marked and dated 1944. The grouping also contained a U.S. bayonet for the M-1 Garand which had been cut down (along with its scabbard) from "sword" length to short, illustrating the changing theories of bayonet warfare in the era.

[@TasDave]

That (the shortened USA bayonet) would be an M1905 with the factory shortening to M1 bayonet length in the mid 40s. Fun fact the trials bayonets for the pattern 1907 were split between Arisaka derived blades, M1905 derived blades and blades derived from the triangular pattern 1876 or 1895 socket bayonets.

[@moredistractions]

@@TasDave Great info, Dave, thanks for sharing. I Google image searched M1905 and you are correct. That is exactly the type of bayonet it was.

[@TheAegisClaw]

Is the tang bent on the sword behind you? Or is it the camera angle.

[@scholagladiatoria]

It is slightly, yes.

[@worthlessfajita8816]

Daam thats a shame

[@raphlvlogs271]

"passively influenced" the main point of this video.

[@knightowl3577]

Didn't they call these bayonets swords in the British Army at the beginning of WWI? I am sure the command "Fix swords!" was given before a battle I read about.

[@cenzgullo3097]

knight Owl the first British Army Riflemen had sword bayonets used on the Baker rifle, around 1805. Napoleonic war in Spain and Portugal and later on mainland Europe.

[@kevinoliver3083]

"Fix swords" is only a command in the Rifle Brigade. During the Napoleonic Wars the Rifles were issued with a 24 inch sword bayonet. To compensate for the short barrel of the Baker Rifle (short in comparison to a smoothbore musket's barrel, anyway).

[@redauwg911]

@@kevinoliver3083 "Fix swords" is only a command in the Rifle Brigade. How did you know this?

[@baysword]

Guardsmen! Fix bayonets. For the Emperor! Charge!

[@tonarsilverwolf6485]

damnit, now I want a japan style imperial planet

[@tonarsilverwolf6485]

@loki katzbalger thanks for the pointer

[@Robert399]

Did they make loadsamoney from those rifles?

[@neil03051957]

Would be good to know how the bayonet was used as a trench weapon and another note is that the British army during the AngloBoer war petrified the boers whenever they could with bayonet charges. Brit tactics in the start of WW1 were based on what they learned from the boers. ....

[@Yoshimitsu882]

I've actually always wondered about this but thought I was crazy for seeing a similarity. Super interesting

[@Trav_Can]

Interesting.

[@ESG1]

Is that a claymore behind Matt's back?

[@imagifyer]

Interestingly the hooked quilion on the Japanese bayonets is actually derived from the french school of bayonet design (and can be seen on the WW1 era French 1986/93 'Rosalie' bayonet). This was because during the Meiji restoration in the mid 19th century the Japanese sent out a number of fact finding missions to various countries to determine how best to model their modernised military forces, and as part of this they determined that the 'best' methodology of bayonet fighting was the one used by the French army, and hence they adopted french fighting techniques and elements of french bayonet design (although not the cruciform spike design) into their own locally produced rifles and bayonets

[@konsyjes]

i guess with this design the tip is a little closer to the centerline I wonder if that is helpful at all

[@johncook3817]

It is a very good rifle. I have a German ww1 spear bayonet that really gives the user a long reach. I don't know how difficult it was to use in real life!

[@Erick_Bloodaxe]

Hell of an interest point! Makes me appreciate mine that much more.

[@VerdeMorte]

If I'm not mistaken the JGSDF still use old, but updated, designs similar to this, right?

[@glorykiller998]

I search _samurai bayonet_ to see if i can attach my katana to my AR-15. Proud to say I left this video educated.

[@donaldmcmillen73]

that is a beautiful SMLE did you restore it yourself?

[@scholagladiatoria]

Thanks - no, it's just been well looked after and was re-barreled for use in WW2.

[@johngibson2884]

When they switched to the 6 inch spike bayonet SMLE from the 1907 pattern minimalists in the army spoke about how forensic tests in the late 1800's said that a long blade was unnecessary and a small tip only needed to penetrate a man 4 inches to kill .... This was a controversial move with modern military men saying the bayonet was OBSOLETE ...rubbish to a traditional professional soldier who fought the Boer and Malayian in hand to hand fighting . Vicious fighting in Europe and pacific confirmed the relevance of the bayonet yet again ... But they ignored the psycological effect of having to face a literal short sword on the end of a stick and the moral boost it gave men engaged in hand to hand combat in the fog of war who used it in charge ... The bayonet was still put to good effect in close quarters battle even today . Men run out of ammo still ....jammed weapons ..so does your opponent . Be prepared... carry a sharp piece of steel it wont jam or run dry , the enemy does ...

[@fredmidtgaard5487]

What about a Brittish stile 1907 pattern bayonet with very distinct ridges on the handle? I think they are Danish but I don't know.

[@TheRomanRuler]

Its ironic that everyone wanted longer bayonets when even during Napoleonic wars it was not bayonets that did the work. Most of the time bayonet charges ended in one side running away, and most of the time during bayonet charges ranged weapons were used far more than cold steel. It was formations of men running towards you and giving you option to hold your ground hoping to shoot them all before they come and stab their sharp blades at your guts, or run away. And there was a lot of running away. Soldiers who would charge with bayonets might not necessarily do more than walk, while skirmishers run around shooting at enemies and artillery blasts them to pieces. To simplify things bit too much, that was how Napoleon won his battles. With "bayonet charges" where bayonets were extremely rarely actually used to stab anyone. And against cavalry, it was firepower that was by far most effective. Horses and cavalry are more expensive and they occuppy more space than infantry in tight formations, so it was easier to hit cavalry and any losses cavalry suffered depleted fighting power of cavalry more than infantry. Bayonet's reach was only important during era of plugged bayonets, which prevented soldier from firing his weapon. After that very short period of time, it was men working in combined arms formations that won the battles and wars and they could have done 90% of the work without actually fixing blades to weapons. Altough bayonets did have important psychological impact. When you see soldiers with short stabby things in their ranged firearms marching towards you, you know just how close to you they are trying to come. People don't run away from ranged firepower as easily as they run away from bayonets. It also gives clear sign to your own men, it tells clearly just how close and personal you are ready to go if necessary.

[@jamessullivan586]

Always enjoy your videos very informative educated analysishowever I must take issue on one point on this video of the Japanese banzai charge world war II that they were not very is my point I have to say marginally effective when used by the Japanese and the United States Marines we're all too happy to mow them down by the thousands

[@SwitchFeathers]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the British troops actually have a few Japanese Arisaka rifles during the first world war, having purchased a few to bolster some of their ranks?

[@kevinoliver3083]

The British bought 150,000 Japanese Type 30 and Type 38 rifles early in WW1. They were used by the Royal Navy (to free up Lee-Enfields for the frontline) and also as training weapons in the UK. Most of the Arisakas were sent to Imperial Russia, from late 1916.

[@SwitchFeathers]

@@kevinoliver3083 I knew I wasn't imagining things! Cheers for the update on this ancient comment of mine

[@mr.s5523]

is there any explanation of the what the hook on the lower guard on the Japanese rifle bayonet is for? disarming? catching? looks? am i missing anything?

[@nathanbrown8680]

I've heard similar hooks on European bayonets were primarily intended for bayonet fancing, but they look a lot like stacking hooks as well and might be used to make rifle tepees with the bayonets attached.

[@herbertsmagon5777]

It should be to catch blades. Funfact, late war versions did away with the hook to cheapen it.