Edged Wpns Roman style bayonet?

[major bill]

The Engineer Corps of the 7th Regiment, New York State Militia ca. prior to 1858, were armed with M1847 sapper musketoons and "Roman" style bayonets. So what is a "Roman" style bayonet and what makes it "Roman" style? My reason for asking this is that bayonets did not get replaced in some state militia companies, so I wanted to know what a "Roman" style bayonet was, and if any militia units called to active service took these with them.

 

[OldSarge79]

The Roman style refers to the traditional Roman short sword (from Roman Empire days). The bayonets generally have a brass handle and the blade is swelled toward the tip, I suppose to give them a bit more cutting power when used as a sword. The extra weight and slight curve of the blade would, I think, penetrate flesh and bone a bit more than a straight blade.
Used as a bayonet, however, I would imagine that penetration (stabbing) would be a bit more difficult than with, say, a narrow socket bayonet.
The earliest common Roman-style bayonet that I am aware of was for the British Brunswick rifle. I'll attach some old photos of the blade of mine. Sorry I don't have a photo of the entire length but it's too early in the morning to be taking photos and wake up the little woman.

 

[major bill]

I was looking at a new Military Uniforms in America plate (Plate No.1020 , Engineer Corps, 7th New York State Militia, 1853-1854). The text of the plate specified a Roman bayonet. I was not sure what was meant by a Roman bayonet and if a Roman bayonet was an 'Engineer' item. The illustration of these engineers did not show their bayonets very clearly.

 

[Lampasas Bill]

Muskets that were shorter than the standard three-banded musket were usually equipped with a sword bayonet. The sword bayonet could be longer than the standard triangular bayonet because its blade was sturdier and was not likely to bend. The idea was to make the total length of the shorter musket with sword bayonet equal to the length of the three banded musket with triangular bayonet. You wouldn't want to confront an opponent in hand-to-hand combat if he could out-reach you with his weapon.

 

[OldSarge79]

These bayonets were normally made for artillery and engineer units (sappers & miners in England), who, like @Lampasas Bill said, were issued short shoulder arms (carbines, short rifles and musketoons). The idea was to use these in defense of their battery or engineering operations at close range, not in an offensive manner.
During the Civil War, those distinctions became less important, particularly for Confederate units.

 

[Glen_C]

There was the Ames musketoon bayonet of 1847.

Ames Sappers & Miners Musketoon Sword Bayonet W/S

Very Fine Original 1847 Dated M-1847 Musketoon Bayonet & Scabbard

www.jjmilitaryantiques.com

RARE AMES MODEL 1847 SAPPERS & MINERS ARTILLERY MUSKETOON SWORD BAYONET — Horse Soldier

N.P. Ames Model 1847 Sapper's and Miner's Sword Bayonet

Currently not on view

americanhistory.si.edu

U.S. Springfield 1847 Sappers Musketoon with Ames Bayonet | Rock Island Auction

Very Scarce U.S. Springfield Model 1847 Sappers Percussion Musketoon with Sappers & Miners Saber Bayonet830 total Springfield Model 1847 Sappers Musketoons were manufactured from 1847-1856 with a bayonet guide on the right side of the muzzle and lug on the right rear of the front barrel band...

www.rockislandauction.com

the Brunswick has been mentioned

Cheers
GC