Ouch, tovarish! Russian bayonet fencing rifles
Going back a half century before the M1805 muskets that Napoleon’s legions faced at Borodino, Russians have been in love with the bayonet. The “white weapon” of elan given special deference in Russian military usage. No less a Russian General than the 18th century tactician Suvorov, even today considered a national hero, once noted “The bullet is a fool, the bayonet is a fine chap.”
The Mosin M91 series rifles were mounted with huge pigstickers, even in their later M44 and M59 folding variants.
Which brings us to this great image of a 1930s Mosin bayonet fencing rifle, used in training with a dull ad very springy light steel blade. The rifle is in the museum collection at Izhevsk.
It still looks like it could put your eye out…
Below is a page from the 1938 Red Army practice manual showing its use.
Vashe zrodovye!