Virtual Visit #68 - Bayonet Training, Plunger Rifle
Part of a series of Virtual Visit posts relating to the Australian Army Museum of Western Australia entitled “Bayonet Training - Plunger Rifle".
Bayonet fighting had long been a core element of a soldier’s training. In the late 19th century, the British Army adopted an ingenious training tool, the spring-loaded fencing musket. Fencing muskets were replicas of the standard issue rifle, but the rifled barrel was replaced by a tube with rubber or a spring inside it, topped by a plunger. This plunger or button-ended rod represented the bayonet and the spring inside the tube allowed soldiers to make lunges at practice opponents without the fear of killing them.
Details
Details
The Australian Army Museum of Western Australia was closed to volunteers and the public for extended periods during the COVID-19 pandemic beginning in March 2020. One outcome was the creation of an expanded on-line presence through a weekly Virtual Visit post. The initial response encouraged the Museum over the following three tears, to continue the series. Virtual Visits normally focused on an object or theme from the collection. The general format was to link the story of the object and its significance. with web links and related materials to facilitate a continuing journey of self-discovery.
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
Australian Army Museum of Western Australia
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