Pritchard-Greener bayonet

[bigduke6]

As the title says, does anyone know or have any info apart from whats on the web regarding the initial prototype Pritchard made from the French Gras bayonet, did he use the whole bayonet chopped and changed etc, or was it just the blade and scabbard.

Just interested in the initial design, (an original would be nice but probably a tad expensive ) I'd just like to try and fashion a grass bayonet if possible to fit a Webley .455 for a display.

Personally I can't see the point (excuse the pun) of a bayonet for a pistol, I've read a lot regarding trench raids etc, but I think its something that was made but never used and has slowly become folk law regarding the use along with the extended stock.....

I'm sure along with just the basic revolver, a club and or any bayonet at the time would be more effective......

Information

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[porterkids]

They only used a portion of the Gras blade and fixed it to a new cast hilt assembly. They made the majority of the hilts from cast brass but also made a small number from case-hardened steel. The scabbards were made from cut down Gras scabbards.

Attachment 85994

Attachment 85995

[browningautorifle]

It's one of the inevitable things that evolves from the fertile minds when a war is on. I'll bet Peter is glad these had gone before he had to examine them on annual technical inspections...

[Peter Laidler]

Bayonet on a pistol............. it's mind boggling. He really needed to get out a bit more

[bigduke6]

Bayonet on a pistol............. it's mind boggling. He really needed to get out a bit more

I totally agree Peter, there was suppose to be only 200 made by Greener, I read somewhere another 50 appeared in the 60's IIRC that were made up from parts. There are a lot of fakes out there too.

(there is an article Martin Peggler wrote but all the links on the internet to it don't work)

I just thought I'd make one from an old Gras bayonet, Strange thing is when looking for info on Webley's you get more info on a Bayonet that very few were made probably never used and about as much use as an ashtray on the back of a Motorbike.......

[Eaglelord17]

I don't know why you are all dissing the idea of a bayonet on a pistol, it makes more sense than on a rifle. A rifles effective range is significantly farther than a pistols, and especially with a 6 shot revolver and no speed clips, if you need to reload and your opponent is 25m or less away (generally max effective range for a pistol), that bayonet would likely come to good use.

Don't think they were ever really used, but a interesting concept none the less.

[browningautorifle]

dissing the idea of a bayonet on a pistol, it makes more sense than on a rifle.

Well, I carried them both through time in the infantry over 35 years and you're wrong. Not a bit out of whack, just wrong.

[Peter Laidler]

I agree totally with yopu BAR. In fact, and I say it most politely and respectfully Eaglelord........ but I couldn't believe that it was you that suggested it!

[Eaglelord17]

So I am curious as to why, as I have also carried bayonets in service myself, and have trained in there usage.

With a 6 shot, hand loaded revolver such as the Webley, you only have 6rds before you have to reload, which is a relatively slow process not like the modern magazine fed wonder 9s. In particular in the Great War it was some very close and dirty fighting with such things as entrenching tools being sharpened, as well as cruder weapons (maces and the like) becoming back into popularity due to the close ranges.

Pistols historically were used as close combat weapons, look at the single shot black powder pistols and how they used to be designed to be used as a club when you fired your shot, as it took a while to reload as well. It isn't too much of a stretch to say it wouldn't be handy for revolver as well, in particular in a close range environment like a trench. Not saying it makes sense in a modern context with all the wonder 9s and other fancy pistols, but with a 6 shot hand loaded revolver, a back up weapon of some kind isn't a terrible idea (reading on trench raids, they often carried other weapons in the other hand anyways, or even a second revolver if they could get there hands on one).

Thinking on it, it could be very possible the designer got the idea from the fact that black powder pistols were also used as clubs, just with a more modern (i.e. WWI) take on it

[browningautorifle]

I have also carried bayonets in service myself, and have trained in there usage.

I'll bet you have...your inexperience is showing.