The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1886-03-19
A FINE WEAPON.
The Severe Tests to Which English Bayo
nets Are Subjected.

! The Severe Tests to Which English Bayo-
nets Are Subjected.
The former test for the ordinary
triangular Martini-Henry bayonets was
to bend them over a simple bridge like
the bridge of violin, and in the case
of swords they were bent by hand to a
bow of about 4 inches. Bayonets and
swords, if even weak, would stand
! these tests. Now, however, the tests
are extraordinarily severe. The bayo-
net has its point pushed into a socket or
shoe, and is then bent by hand pressure
/ over wood arch of a segment of
| curve equal to nearly its entire length,
and which has an elevation at its cen
! trail of p inches, the hilt end of the
| bayonet being bent over to the extent
of more than inches. The metal
must then spring back to its former
condition, without the slightest per-
manent set. This test is applied to
all the three sides of the bayonet. 1t
is then tested by tOrsional strain by
being fixed in an apparatus in which
the strain of 80 pounds, suspended
weight, is applied. Finally, it is struck
by hand with the hardest blows upon
each of its sides against a solid oak
block, by which if any flaw exists, the
bayOnet will be certainly broken. 1t
the slightest permanent bend or set can
be detected after these proofs, the bayo-
net is at once rejected. To swords
similar crucial tests are now applied,
one of the most important features
being the introduction of a test for
proving the rigidity of the sword, be-
sides the test for proving its temper OF
tlexibility.
The artillery carbine saw-bayonet is
subjected to a test of this class But
the most searching Of all these tests are
those applied to the cavalry swords.
These are 343 inches long. and 5-16 of
an inch thick at the back. Each
blade is first bent over wood arch of
nearly its own length to the extent of
two feet at its hilt end, its point being
fixed. 1t is then put in frame per-
fectly vertical, and it must stand the
weight of 81 pounds upon it without
the slightest indication of any deficc-
ton. The Enfield blades stand this
test TO the extent Of 80 pounds. The
blade is next forced down by leverage
to the extent of inches. bowling pro-
portionately on either side. Two pow
erful cuts are then made by hand
against wood block, one with the
'front.' tU3ts the OlneI Win LlC pdck.
The sword blade is then tested by being
placed in a trough or mould finished
up to a mechanical fit. The handle
and guard being riveted on, the like
tests are applied to the finished sword.
The ordinary swords in the service are
of the 1882 pattern, and like the bayo-
nets, are slightly too light and weak at
the ends Of the blades. The new
swords of 1885 pattern are heavier, and
strengthened by a greater thickness
and depth Of metal at the cutting por-
ton Of the blade The new bayonets
are three ounces heavier in weight than
the former Martini-Henry bayonets,
although the same length as the
original pattern. All the present
forms of bayonets are destined, it
would seem, to give way to the latest
pattern sword bayonet, which viii
probably receive general acceptance az
the finest and most useful weapon ever
associated with the rifled musket.-LO1a-
H0H SfaldnTd