Flaming Bayonet cartridge?

G

Glamdring

New member
I remember reading about a flaming bayonet cartridge that was developed for the '03 Springfield. It sounded somewhat like the dragon's breath shotgun cartridges.

Just wondering if anyone knows more about it. I have only seen it mentioned once, in the bayonet section of a book on the '03 Springfield. From what I recall it was never fielded.
 
Flaming bayonet? Explain a bit more about what you mean? Like a head stamp or something? Or has it to do with the projectile? Type of powder charge? What was it supposed to do?

My only source about '06 military ammo is Phil Sharpe's book, describing color codes on the bullets' tips, and he made no mention of this...

Art
 
Here it is..

http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/Flaming_Bayo2.JPG

http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/Flaming_Bayo5.JPG

And here's what that site has to say about it:

Flaming Bayonet

In a recent magazine advertisement I was reminded of an old weapon that never made the grade. The new item as made by the G.R.A.D. Co. is the .22 firing knife. The gun / knife is a 5 shot double action firearm capable of quick follow-up shots. The knife is also available in a bayonet configuration to allow it to mount on the M16. While it is a new item it is not a new idea. During World War One this same principle was tried albeit with a flame as opposed to a bullet. That’s right a flame throwing bayonet. It was called the "Flaming Bayonet, constructed and tested by the Army Chemical Service it was a unique weapon for it’s time. The idea was to launch a ten foot flame as you were about to close in with the enemy for a bayonet thrust. The flame would so dis-orient the enemy you could then run him through with your own bayonet. It was originally to be used for shock value. Something still in use today in many ways the value of hesitation or shock can not be under estimated. The first flaming bayonet was a single shot canister. This proved to be a simple mechanical canister filled with a charge. Very basic and easy to operate but lacking after the initial charge was blown. To improve upon this a five shot canister was designed. This added the extra fire power needed to cover more ground while attacking more of the enemy. This canister proved to be rather more complex then the initial single shot version. Common problems were with ignition and weight. The days of electronics were far into the future in 1918 and reliable ignition through piezo electric was too. Lack of reliable ignition created more of a disturbance then it helped. If the soldier was wresting with his weapon to fire the enemy would not be standing idly by waiting for him. While this was going on the enemy soldier cleanly ran our man through with his own bayonet. Conditions in the trenches were not very conducive to keeping your equipment dry to ensure firing. Along with the added weight on the end of the barrel it effected accuracy and even bayonet handling. Although this was examined for a time after the war it was quietly dropped in 1919 by the Chemical Service as unworkable. Test data and photos were condemned to a dusty file to be forever forgotten. I have never seen a Flaming Bayonet but that doesn’t mean any haven’t survived. Do you know of one?? Well anyway now you know what to look for.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top