The bayonet has long been of interest to military collectors, and its history - going back to the 17th century - is just as fascinating. This spectacular photographic exploration of the weapon begins with the inception of the bayonet in Bayonne, France, and follows its evolution through the technical advances of the next few centuries. Over 500 large scale, full-color photos provide overall and detail views of 300 different bayonets from around the globe.

The book covers all types of bayonets, including Plug, Sword, Socket, Knife, Yataghan, and many more. In addition to the photographs, each bayonet is detailed with pricing information, physical description, manufacturing data, service history, and an examination of the effectiveness of the model. The book also contains a reference section with information on additional bayonet publications, collections and websites for collectors and enthusiasts.

• Contains over 500 large scale, vivid color photos of 300 types of bayonets
• Explores the history of the bayonet from its inception to today
• Includes a reference section with sources for additional bayonet information