What is the origin of bayonet?

Answer 1

Don't know who, but it is named after the place called Bayonne in France. Originally it simply plugged into the end of the barrel of the weapon, having fired its shot it effectively became a spear.

Answer 2

The name bayonet derives from the French city of Bayonne, where it is said it was created to give better fighting power to the fusiliers, when engaged in melée against the enemy's infantry or to better resist to cavalry charges.

It substituted the pike and and signed the abolition of the pikemen' units, which were getting obsoletes, difficult to manoeuvre on the battlefield and costly to drill.

Answer 3

Early warfare was conducted with spears and pikes. The introduction of firearms gave the soldiers a projectile weapon of great strength. However the early weapons were primitive and took a long time to load. The simple attachment of a 'spear point' to the end of the barrel gave them a weapon they were already familiar with, and backup if they couldn't reload in time. This backup capability has remained as somewhat useful, though not often used weapon.