Bayonets were a crucial component of infantry warfare during both World War I (WWI) and World War II (WWII). These weapons varied by country, model, and manufacturer, but they generally fell into several key categories based on design and intended use: spike bayonets, knife bayonets, and sword bayonets. They can range in value depending on many factors including rarity, quality and provenance. They are a great item to start out collecting military items as there is a limited number of types to collect.
Below is a breakdown of notable bayonet types from the major powers involved in both world wars:
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
WWI:
- Pattern 1907 Bayonet
- Type: Sword bayonet
- For: SMLE (Short Magazine Lee-Enfield) Rifle
- Length: 17 inches blade
- Manufacturers:
- Wilkinson Sword
- Sanderson Bros & Newbould Ltd
- Vickers Ltd
- Enfield (RSAF – Royal Small Arms Factory)
- Notes: Long-bladed design; used extensively throughout the war.
WWII:
- No. 4 Mk II Bayonet
- Type: Spike bayonet
- For: Lee-Enfield No. 4 Rifle
- Length: ~8 inches
- Manufacturers:
- Singer Manufacturing Co.
- Baird Manufacturing
- Joseph Lucas Ltd
- Notes: Simple, mass-producible design for efficiency.
🇩🇪 Germany
WWI:
- S98/05 Bayonet (“Butcher Blade”)
- Type: Sword bayonet
- For: Mauser Gewehr 98
- Length: 14–15 inches
- Manufacturers:
- Waffenfabrik Mauser
- Simson & Co., Suhl
- Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Co. (WKC)
- Notes: Characteristic curved blade, called “butcher blade” by Allies.
WWII:
- S84/98 III Bayonet
- Type: Knife bayonet
- For: Karabiner 98k
- Length: ~10 inches
- Manufacturers:
- Carl Eickhorn
- F. W. Holler
- Jos. Corts
- Notes: More compact and practical than WWI bayonets.
🇺🇸 United States
WWI:
- M1905 Bayonet
- Type: Sword bayonet
- For: M1903 Springfield rifle
- Length: 16 inches
- Manufacturers:
- Springfield Armory
- Rock Island Arsenal
WWII:
- M1 Bayonet
- Type: Knife bayonet
- For: M1 Garand
- Length: 10 inches
- Manufacturers:
- Utica Cutlery
- Union Fork & Hoe
- AFH (American Fork & Hoe)
- Notes: Modified M1905 to shorter length due to practicality.
🇫🇷 France
WWI:
- Rosalie Bayonet (M1886 Lebel)
- Type: Spike/sword hybrid
- For: Lebel Model 1886 rifle
- Length: 20.5 inches (needle-like cruciform blade)
- Manufacturers:
- St. Etienne
- Châtellerault
- Notes: Distinctive cruciform blade, very narrow and sharp.
WWII:
- M1936 Bayonet
- Type: Knife bayonet
- For: MAS-36 Rifle
- Length: ~7.5 inches
- Notes: Integral spike bayonet that telescoped into the rifle.
🇯🇵 Japan
WWI & WWII:
- Type 30 Bayonet
- Type: Sword bayonet
- For: Arisaka rifles (Type 38 and Type 99)
- Length: ~15.75 inches
- Manufacturers:
- Kokura Arsenal
- Nagoya Arsenal
- Tokyo Arsenal
- Notes: Standard bayonet through both wars, with various pommel and scabbard changes over time.
🇷🇺 Russia / Soviet Union
WWI:
- M1891 Bayonet
- Type: Socket spike bayonet
- For: Mosin-Nagant M1891
- Length: 17.7 inches
- Notes: Fixed spike, not easily removed by troops.
WWII:
- M91/30 Bayonet
- Type: Socket spike bayonet
- For: Mosin-Nagant M91/30
- Manufacturers: Multiple Soviet arsenals
- Notes: Simple spike; often permanently affixed to rifle.
Summary Table
| Nation | Model | Type | Rifle Compatibility | WWI/WWII | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Pattern 1907 | Sword | SMLE | WWI | Long, blade-style |
| UK | No. 4 Mk II | Spike | No. 4 Lee-Enfield | WWII | Simplified, mass-produced |
| Germany | S98/05 “Butcher” | Sword | Gewehr 98 | WWI | Curved, heavy blade |
| Germany | S84/98 III | Knife | Kar98k | WWII | Practical, shorter |
| USA | M1905 | Sword | M1903 | WWI | Long-bladed |
| USA | M1 Bayonet | Knife | M1 Garand | WWII | Shortened M1905 variant |
| France | M1886 “Rosalie” | Spike | Lebel | WWI | Cruciform spike |
| France | MAS-36 Integral | Spike | MAS-36 | WWII | Internal folding spike |
| Japan | Type 30 | Sword | Arisaka | WWI/WWII | Used both wars |
| Russia | M1891 | Spike | Mosin-Nagant | WWI | Fixed socket bayonet |
| Soviet Union | M91/30 | Spike | Mosin-Nagant | WWII | Simplified spike |