Socket bayonet, New Land Pattern, Bloomsbury and Inns of Court Volunteers, 1803 (c)

The associated scabbard is marked on the brass mount with the unit details, 'BICA 2nd COMY No 95'.

The Bloomsbury and Inns of Court Association (BICA) was raised in 1797 to help meet the threat from France. It was disbanded in 1802 and re-raised in 1803. King George III's dislike of lawyers is reputed to have resulted in the unit's nickname, 'The Devil's Own'.

Socket bayonets were introduced at the end of the 17th century, replacing earlier plug bayonets which were fitted directly into the barrel of a musket. The socket attachment allows the firearm to continue to be fired while leaving the option open to resort to the 'cold steel' of the bayonet without delay or handicap.

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. The spoon shaped spring on the New Land Pattern bayonets engaged the foresight of the musket to prevent the bayonet from being pulled off.