plug bayonet

The plug bayonet was an early type of weapon designed to attach to the muzzle of a firearm, typically a musket. Developed in France around the early 17th century, it featured a straight, double-edged blade with a wooden handle that inserted directly into the gun's muzzle. This design, however, prevented the firearm from being discharged while the bayonet was attached and could be difficult to remove. Later innovations, such as the socket bayonet, improved upon this by allowing the firearm to be used with or without the bayonet attached. While its combat effectiveness diminished with the advent of repeating firearms, the bayonet continued to be used through World War II, often shortened into a knife-like form.1