Improved Combination Bayonet, Entrenching Tool, Breast- plate, and Shield.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Jan., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 16th Oct., 1889—Accepted, 23rd Nov., 1889
.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Combination Bayonet, Entrenching Tool, Breast-
plate, and Shield.
I, CHARLES GRANTLEY CAMPBELL: NORTON, of the Army and Navy Club, Pall Mall,
in the County of Middlesex, Major Reserve of Officers, late Major 23rd Royal Welsh
Fusiliers, and recently a Colonel in The Imperial Ottoman Gendarmerie, do hereby,
leclare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in combination bayonets and entrenching
tools; and has for its objects: firstly, the adaptation of the bayonet to serve the
purpose of a handle for an entrenching tool; secondly, the provision of a detachable
entrenching tool-blade adapted to serve also as a partial breast-plate, and to some extent
as a rampart; and, thirdly, the abolition of the special handle for the pick.
I do not confine myself to steel as the material but may use a suitable wood strongly
tipped with steel.
The socket is hinged to the heel of the bayonet ; and a spring, or other suitable,
catch is provided, by which the two-socket and bayonet-can be firmly held to the
heel-side, when the bayonet is to be used as such. When the bayonet is to be used as
the handle of the entrenching tool, then the socket is turned across the heel, when it
will form a crutch; a suitable releasable detent being provided for the purpose of
holding it in the proper relative position.
The blade of the entrenching tool is made with a socket, which is of the right shape
and size to receive the bayonet-tip as far as is necessary to effect a practical junction
between tool-handle and blade.
The blade is adapted for use as a partial breast-plate by being provided with suitable
straps, or loops, by which it can be held on the right breast and shoulder. The side is
cut away for the purpose of allowing free, motion to the arm, and without making it
less serviceable as a spade, it is sufficiently convex-shaped to turn bullets.
My object in providing some protection for the rifleman's right breast and shoulder
is based upon my personal experience in the field. The majority of bullet wounds
occur in the right arm, shoulder, head and breast from shelter french defences; and
it is to the consciousness of this risk to that part of his person, which if wounded
places him hors de combat as a shot, that I attribute the inaccurate firing due to
hurried aiming on the part of the marksman.
I adapt the blade of the entrenching tool for use as a shield or cover as follows. I
form a slot in it at a suitable distance from the nose, and near the right side, wide
enough to allow of the barrel being passed through it, and deep enough for sighting
through it.
When the blade is stuck into the top of the earthwork, it will be found
sufficiently large to conceal the head, right shoulder, and forearm of the rifleman.
I propose to substitute a rigid bayonet scabbard, e.g., one made of boxwood, for
the leather one now in use, and my object in making this substitution is to dispense
with the pick-handle as at present provided. The said scabbard, which is carried
as a sidearm, may be some inches longer than is necessary for the fitting of the
steel bayonet, as it has. to be used and converted into a pick-handle as well as
being, utilized as the scabbard for the bayonet. The pick axe, as in the case of
the spade-equipment, will be likewise worn on the right breast by those elected to
use this implement, and the broad end-will be broader than is usually the case
to the extent of being wide enough to afford some sort of cover if stuck on the
crest of a parapet, when it. will at the same time serve as a rest for the rifle.
In this rigid sheath of boxwood bound with leather or whipcord, the usual bayonet
can be inserted and worn as a sidearm, yet capable of being drawn for fixing on the
firearm, or, when still in this scabbard, employed as the handle for the pick.

page_text: Instead of using the pike or bayonet handle for the spade as recommended, a bayonet
inserted in a rigid sheath, as before described, may be substituted; but the socket of
the bayonet must in this case be continued, as has been explained, so as to be rendered
capable of conversion into a crutch suitable for the spade haudle.
Dated this 16th day of January 1889.
+
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Combination Bayonet, Entrenching Tool, Breast-
plate,-and Shield.
I, CHARLES GRANTLEY CAMPBELL NORTON, of the Army and Navy Club, Pall Mall,
in the County of Middlesex, Major Reserve of Officers, late Major 23rd Royal Welsh
Fusiliers, and recently a Colonel in The Imperial Ottoman Gendarmerie, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
-
My invention relates to improvements in combination bayonets and entrenching
tools, and has for its objects: firstly, the adaptation of the bayonet to serve the
purpose of a handle for an entrenching tool; secondly, the provision of a detachable
entrenching tool-blade-adapted to serve also as a partial breast-plate, and to some
extent as a rampart; and thirdly, the abolition of the special handle for the pick.
In order that my invention, and the means by which the same may be carried
into practical effect, may be thoroughly understood, I will now proceed to describe
them in detail, referring in so doing to the accompanying drawings which are to be
taken as part of this specification, and read therewith.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of the back of the blade of the entrenching tool. This figure
illustrates its adaptability as a shield.
Fig. 2 is a plan corresponding therewith.
Fig. 3 is an elevation of the face of the blade of the entrenching tool.
Fig. 4 is an elevation of my improved pike-bayonet adapted for use as the handle of
the entrenching tool.
Fig. 5 shews the pike-bayonet fixed on a rifle.
Fig. 6 is an elevation of my improved scabbard and bayonet adapted to serve as a
handle for the pick.
Fig. 7 is an elevation shewing the pike-bayonet fixed in the socket of the entrenching
tool.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the use of the blade of the entrenching tool
as a rampart.
d
The blade a is of a suitable size. It is adapted for use as a breast plate as follows.
A recess or indentation b is formed in one side-the left hand side looking at its back.
C is a strap attached to the blade above and below the said recess, and so forms a loop
through which the right arm is to pass, while a second strap & starting from near, or
at, the junction of the strap C with the blade, below the recess, passes round the back.
being made fast to the opposite edge of the blade. I may provide a suitable pocket
on the bottom of the tunic and preferably of leather, into which the blade may drop..
It will be noticed that the blade of my improved entrenching tool is concave on its
face, and has a prominent ridge e down the back. It is of course the concave side
which is worn next the person when the tool is used as a shield.
The tool handle is fixed in the blade by inserting it in a tapering socket adapted,
in respect of shape and size, to receive the tip of my improved pike-bayonet. It is
the necessity of providing sufficient metal for the formation of a socket of sufficient
size that enables me to produce the prominent ridge c.
My object in providing some protection for the rifleman's right breast and
shoulder is based upon my personal experience in the field. The majority of bullet
wounds occur in the right arm, shoulder, head and breast, from shelter trench

page_text: defences; and it is to the consciousness of this risk to that part of his person,
which if wounded places him hors-de-combat as a shot, that I attribute the in-
accurate firing due to hurried aiming on the part of the marksman. This part of
my invention is carried out as follows: is a vertical sighting slot formed in the
blade as near the recess as practicable. It expands at the bottom into an
enlargement g of a proper size to allow of the rifle being easily passed through
it. is a cover adapted to slide in suitable guides upon the blade.
Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and 7, is the shaft of the bayonet, of ash, and this
may be strengthened by the introduction of a central web or tang of steel, to
which the halves of the shaft are rivetted. j is the bayonet-tip. is the socket
hinged to the heel of the bayonet at. 7. When it is laid across the heel as shown
by the full lines of Figs. 4 and 7, it forms the crutch handle of the entrenching
tool, a suitable detent being provided for the purpose of retaining the handle
in that position. When, on the other hand, the crutch handle is to be a bayonet-
socket again, it is turned into the position indicated by the dotted lines of Fig. 4,
and a ring is caused to hold the two in that position by being passed over the
top of the socket. Any additional devices adapted to strengthen the connection
between the socket and the bayonet may be adopted.
Fig. 6 illustrates how, according to my invention, the ordinary pick handle may be
dispensed with, and the soldier's side arm made to take its place. is the ordinary.
bayonet, and, a special scabbard of wood, or equivalent light and rigid material.
The latter is longer than usual, and is provided with a metal point y adapted to
fit either the blade of the entrenching tool, or the pick.
The socket of the bayonet is connected to it as described with reference to Figs. 4
and 7, and for the same reasons.
My improved pick is intended to be worn on the right breast. The blade-end
is made wider than usual-say about 7 inches wide-and is thereby adapted to
provide some sort of cover when it is stuck in the crest of a parapet. It also
provides a rest for the rifle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is:
1. The combination of blade and sighting slot whereby the former is adapted for
use as a loop-holed shield as set forth.
2. The combination of bayonet, hinged socket, and connecting devices, whereby
the said socket is adapted to discharge the function of the ordinary crutch handle of
an entrenching tool, as set forth.
3. The herein before described combination of blade, scabbard, socket, and bayonet,
providing an improved entrenching tool, or breast plate, or shield, or pick handle, as
set forth.
Dated this 18th day of Ontolon 1880
PHILLIPS & LEIGH.
No. 22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.