Essentially, a socket bayonet without a socket, this bayonet mounts to the rifle by means of a dovetailed mortise. This example has a spring catch. Variations with a wing screw or knurled locking screw are also encountered. The blade and elbow were blued. The bluing on this example is surprisingly intact, but has turned to patina.

The Swiss Federal Rifle was a percussion muzzle loading sharpshooter's rifle (Stutzer). These were precision rifles with heavy round barrels, adjustable long-range sights, and double set triggers. Its 10.4 mm. projectile was considered to have the finest ballistics of any contemporary muzzle loading rifle.

Research published in 2019 by Edward Hull in his book, Peabody Firearms, expanded on his earlier published work regarding bayonets used with the Peabody rifles.

15,000 Peabody rifles were purchased in 1867 from the Providence Tool Co. of Providence, Rhode Island, based on a design patented by inventor Henry O. Peabody. No bayonet was supplied by Providence Tool Co. with these rifles, as the muzzle diameter was specified such that existing M1863 bayonets could be used.

Both the M1863/67 Milbank-Amsler conversion and M1867 Peabody rifles were an interim measure to acquire breechloading cartridge rifles while completing development of the Vetterli repeating rifle.

Designated Stichbajonett Mod. 1863 (Stick Bayonet Model 1863) by Switzerland, this bayonet was used from 1863 to 1878, when the Vetterli rifle was updated to use a sword bayonet. During this period, there were two socket bayonet variants, the M1863 and M1871, which are difficult to distinguish without having known examples against which to compare. Both types were used interchangeably.

The distinguishing factor is that the M1863 is of slightly heavier construction than the M1871. The difference is readily apparent in this comparison image. Older bayonet reference books are not consistent as to which variant was which. A contemporary Swiss researcher indicates that the M1863 is the heavier version, weighing around 350 grams; and the M1871 is the lighter version, weighing closer to 300 grams. I would tend to defer to his determination, since he resides in Switzerland and more than 20 years have passed since publishing of the older references.

This example weighs in at 367 grams, so is the M1863 variant.  Based on the serial numbers, this example could have been used with either a M1863 muzzle loader, M1863/67 Milbank-Amsler, or M1869 Vetterli.  According to Vetterli production records, serial numbers 1100 and 2744 correspond to M1869 infantry rifles made by Valentin Sauerbrey of Basel, in 1870 and 1871, respectively. 

This example weighs in at 312 grams, so is the M1871 variant. According to Vetterli production records, serial number 73556 corresponds to a M1869/71 infantry rifle made by S.I.G. Neuhausen in 1872. Serial number 1034 corresponds to a M1871 Stutzer rifle made at Eidgenössische Montier-Werstätte, Bern (Swiss Federal Installation, Bern) in 1872.

Designated the Vierkant-Stichbajonett Modell 1889/92 (Square Stick Bayonet Model 1889/92), these were issued to cyclist troops, machine gunners, and fortress troops. The M1889/92 is a conversion of the obsolete M1863 and M1871 socket bayonets. The conversion involved removing the socket, adding a crosspiece, and brazing a pommel to the end of the cruciform blade stub.

This example has had the original 15 mm. muzzle ring bushed to 14 mm. for use with the M1911 Carbine. The serial number 10329 corresponds to a M1911 Carbine made in 1915 at Eidgenoessische Waffenfabrik, Bern.

Designated Dolchbajonett Mod. 1899 (Dagger Bayonet Model 1899), this variant is sometimes erroneously referred to as the M1911, due to its most often having been issued with the M1911 rifle. The ridge near the base of the fuller was added to help retain the bayonet in its scabbard.

This type bayonet can be found with either the larger 15 mm. (.600 in.) rifle muzzle ring or smaller 14 mm. (0.550 in.) carbine muzzle ring. This example was a conundrum, in that it has the smaller carbine muzzle ring, but according to production records, serial number 371430 is for a M1911 rifle that was produced in 1914.

Recently, Dr. Jim Maddox, author of Collecting Bayonets, discovered a couple of similar examples that would not mount to a M1911 rifle. Closer examination revealed these bayonets to have the original 15 mm. muzzle ring bushed down to 14 mm. The 4th image at right clearly shows the bushing in this example as well.

Designated Sägebajonett Mod. 1914 (Sawing Bayonet Model 1914), the M1914 has a swell-point blade profile, where the blade is wider at the point than at the ricasso. The 1914 blade is fullered on only one side.

The M1914 bayonet was produced by three manufacturers:

—Waffenfabrik Neuhausen
—Elsener Schwyz
—H. Steimer AG, Wasen im Emmental

Initially, a leather scabbard was produced for these. In 1938, a steel scabbard was introduced for new production and unserviceable leather scabbards were subsequently replaced with the steel scabbard.

According to production records, the M1931 Short Rifle with serial number 648725 was produced in 1941.

The M1914 was issued to select troops.  When equipped with K31 rifles, the M1914 bayonet was issued to:

—Engineers;
—Driver corporals and mounted artillery    sergeants;
—Blacksmiths,  blacksmith private first    class or lance corporal, blacksmith    sergeants;
—Horse transport soldiers, PFCs,    corporals and sergeants;
—Saddle makers; and,
—Drivers for motorized field artillery,    howitzers and heavy howitzers.

According to serial number data, Waffenfabrik Neuhausen produced the M1918 bayonet until approximately 1933. The M1911 Carbine with serial number 140144 was produced in 1926.

The bayonet and scabbard are unissued. The bayonet lacks a serial number and the scabbard's frog securing tab lacks a buckle hole. The serial number was applied only when the bayonet was paired with a rifle. The scabbard's buckle hole was punched when the scabbard was first mated to a belt frog to ensure a tight fit.

Based on serial number data, it appears that Victorinox initially produced the M1918 bayonet until the early 1920s. Elsener resumed production concurrent with introduction of the M1931 Short Rifle in 1934 and continued until M1931 Short Rifle production ceased in 1958.

The Script-P mark identifies the scabbard maker as the firm Paillard AG of St. Croix. Paillard was a very diverse manufacturer who produced an amazing variety of products over its 160 year history. The firm began in 1814 as a watch-maker, however, also produced music boxes, record players, typewriters, radios, and the famous Bolex line of motion picture cameras.

The M1918/55 hilt is heavier than the M1918, but is not as heavy as the M1914 Pioneer, as shown in this comparison image. It is unclear why the hilt design was changed so late in the M1918 bayonet’s production life cycle.

It is also unclear how many M1918/55 bayonets were produced. Production likely began in late 1955 or early 1956, as serial numbers observed on issued examples all seem to be above 250,000. M1931 Short Rifles serial number 250000-250850 were the last rifles recorded as produced in 1955. The final rifle reported was serial number 263330, produced in 1958. A total of 13,300 rifles were produced during the M1918/55 bayonet’s likely production period.

According to production records, the M1931 Short Rifle with serial number 253542 was produced in 1956.

Made in 1917 by Saddler Fritz Pauli of Biberist, in Solorthurn Canton.

Measures 7.375 in. (187 mm.) long by 3.00 in. (76 mm.) wide at the widest point.

Carter classified this frog as #410.

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This bayonet and the Rexim-Favor MC Mk. 4's bayonet mount are both closely patterned after the German FG 42, where the bayonet is reversed in its mounting to stow beneath the barrel. Both the Favor and German FG 42 bayonet borrow much from the French M1936 bayonet.

The Favor submachine gun was a French design marketed by the Swiss firm, Rexim S.A. (Société Anonyme = Corporation). Rexim contracted with the Spanish Arms Factory of La Coruña (Fábrica de Armas de la Coruña) for manufacturing.

The Favor was an odd design, outdated before it was put into production. It was one of the few submachine guns to fire from a closed bolt, which further set it at odds with more contemporary designs. It is believed that approximately 5,000 were produced. The Favor was a modular design that could be configured with different stocks, as a pistol, with different barrels, etc., so not all examples produced included a bayonet mount. The number of bayonets produced is unknown, but is likely to have been substantially fewer than 5,000.

Due to lack of sales, Rexim went bankrupt in 1957. Following Rexim's bankruptcy, the Arms Factory of La Coruña continued marketing the unsold guns. Only Turkey purchased in quantity, which they heavily modified, designating their variant M–68. Today, the Rexim-Favor is best known as the basis for one of the fictional laser weapons used in the 1977 Star Wars movie.

In spite of its designation, Sturmgewehr, the Stgw. 57 is a selective-fire rifle, rather than an assault rifle. The Stgw. 57 is widely considered the the Rolls Royce of selective-fire rifles. The Stgw. 57 had a very long service life, remaining in production from 1958–1983.

As the low serial number suggests, this is an early example. The "W + F" mark indicates assembly by Waffenfabrik Bern, while "Victoria Schwyz" identifies the blade supplier as the firm, Victorinox, located in Schwyz Canton.

To avoid conflict, the Swiss government awarded half of the military knife & bayonet blade production quota to Wenger and half to Victorinox. Victorinox acquired Wenger in 2005, however, continues marketing products under both trademarks.

The scabbard has the leather tab for securing in the Schmidt-Rubin belt frog. Most early scabbards had the tab removed when the Swiss changed over to the button-style frog commonly associated with the M1957 bayonet.

This scabbard body was produced by the Swiss plastics firm of Georg Utz in Bremgarten (known today as Georg Utz Holding AG). The Utz "circular economy" trademark is molded into the scabbard body.

The Script-P mark identifies the maker of the steel scabbard throat as the firm Paillard AG of St. Croix.

S.I.G. produced an export model bayonet to go with export versions of the Stgw. 57. The 510–4 export bayonet differs from the domestic M1957 bayonet in some details.

A later example, with the simplified blade marking. "V" above the serial number identifying the blade supplier as Victorinox.

This scabbard no longer has the leather securing tab, so would be carried using the frogs made for carrying the M1957 and M1990 bayonet.

This example has the early style scabbard, with the leather securing tab, for use with the Schmidt-Rubin belt frog.

Ricasso (right): "Wenger" over "9900"

Crosspiece:  Swiss cross

Grip: Circle-M (or W)

Scabbard (body reverse): Georg Utz trademark

Three mold marks appear on the scabbard reverse, one of which appears to indicate manufacture in 1971.

Made in 1989 by A. Bucher, Wolhusen.

Measures 7.25 in. (185 mm.) long by 2.50 in (65 mm.) wide.

Carter classified this frog as #588.

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The 510–4 is a 7.62 mm. NATO version of the Stgw. 57. The 510–4 was shorter and lighter than the Stgw. 57. The 510–4 was adopted by Bolivia (5,000) and Chile (36,000).

The 510–4 bayonet is similar to the Swiss M1957 bayonet. However, the blade has a different taper; the hilt a different crosspiece and pommel. The bayonets are believed to have been made by S.I.G., since they do not bear the Waffenfabrik Bern trademark. This example has no serial number.

The 510–4 scabbard is made of shiny black plastic and has a squarish point, where the M1957 scabbard pictured above is made of matte black plastic and has a more rounded point. The scabbard bears a trademark, however, I have not yet been able to determine the manufacturer.

Stgw. 90 production began in 1986, eventually superseding the renowned Stgw. 57 by the mid-1990s. Like its predecessor, the Stgw. 90 quickly garnered a reputation as one of the finest rifles in its class. Although Swiss military deliveries ceased in the mid-1990s, the S.I.G. 550 is still produced for export and commercial sale, with over 600,000 rifles having been produced to date.

M1990 bayonets may be found with either Victorinox or Wenger maker marks.

A solid, utilitarian bayonet, the edge is ground on one side only, the opposite side of the blade being flat. The hilt has green plastic grip scales and a sliding spring catch similar to that used on the Stgw. 57 bayonet (so similar that the Stgw. 57 bayonet will reportedly mount on the Stgw. 90 rifle). The scabbard body is olive green plastic with a frog loop on the blackened steel throatpiece.

This undated example was made by the textiles firm of Werner Fasler, Tramstrasse 5, 5034 Suhr.

The frog measures 7.625 in. (194 mm.) long by 2.25 in. (57 mm.) wide.

Carter classified this frog as #589.

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The frog was made by the Swiss firm Wechner AG, located in Arth. Wechner was a manufacturer of bags, suitcases, travel items etc., both of leather and imitation leather. The company was dissolved in 1998 and its assets liquidated.

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