Socket bayonet, New Land Pattern, 1810 (c)

The spoon shaped spring on the New Land Pattern bayonets engaged the foresight of the musket to prevent the bayonet from being pulled off.The experimental arms of the late 18th century influenced the development of an improved series of weapons called the 'New Land Pattern'. Because of war with France, however, the production of the new series of arms was limited and issue was never universal.