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I would say of the lug/sight debate that I would be inclined to agree with the primary sources on this one and not use Goldstein & Mowbray's (really very excellent) secondary / tertiary source as evidence.
That book is a collection of photographs of extant muskets, and the focus isn't on literature or how they were used other than the 5 page preface.
I don't beleive it even shows a full bayonet more than once.
If the army trained soldiers in marksmanship at all, I'd say they were aiming.
If the post that held the bayonet functioned as a sight as well as a lug, I'd say they were being efficient.
It's interesting to hear all the counterpoints, but I do not see why it has to be 'One thing primarily and the other secondarily" - give the ancestors some credit, it was good, practical design that ensured it did both.
I will say that it is interesting that the post does not often rise above the rim of the socket on many models I have seen (it *does* on later gonnes )
Without consulting a primary source, I would say that suggests a couple of things.
1. The presence of sheaths and frogs suggests that there was a time for individual marksmanship when bayonets were unfixed.
2. That once bayonets were fixed, it was time to dispense with it.
Would love for someone with access and familiarity to primary sources to comment on this supposition.
"Without consulting a primary source, I would say that suggests a couple of things.
1. The presence of sheaths and frogs suggests that there was a time for individual marksmanship when bayonets were unfixed.
2. That once bayonets were fixed, it was time to dispense with it. "
Your assumption doesnt stand considering the fact that the Brit Infantry regiments stood to in Defensive deployments with Bayonets fixed, readied for Volley firing. Bayonets were kept fixed during the advance to contact on Battlefields, also when there was a Cavalry threat; and advance to clear the battlefield (as after the French Old Guard recoiled in the final phase on Waterloo).
The only exceptions were in the case of Brit Light Infantry in the case of an Infantry Regiments Light Company being deployed as Skirmishers, and the Rifle regiments deployment in similar deployments.