Fix Bayonets

Fix (Unfix) Bayonets

Being at the position of Shoulder Arms,

SS 196. The recruits being at shoulder arms, when the instructor shall wish to fix bayonets, he will command:

1. Fix 2. BAYONET.
One time and three motions.

SS 197. (First motion.) Grasp the piece with the left hand at the height of the shoulder, and detach it slightly from the shoulder with the right hand.

SS 198. (Second motion.) Quit the piece with the right hand, lower it with the left hand, opposite the middle of the body, and place the butt between the feet without shock; the rammer to the rear, the barrel vertical, the muzzle three inches from the body; seize it with the right hand at the upper band, and carry the left hand reversed to the handle of the bayonet. If the rifle musket be used the barrel will be inclined forward, the muzzle eight inches from the body, and the left hand reversed to the handle of the bayonet.

SS 199. (Third motion.) Draw the bayonet from the scabbard and fix it on the extremity of the barrel; seize the piece with the left hand, the arm extended, the right hand at the upper band. If the rifle musket be used the clasp will be turned as soon as the bayonet is fixed upon the barrel.

1. Shoulder 2. ARMS.
One time and two motions.

SS 200. (First motion.) Raise the piece With the left hand and place it against the right shoulder, the rammer to the front: seize the piece at the same time with he right hand at the swell of the stock, the thumb and fore-finger embracing the guard, the right arm nearly extended.

SS 201. (Second motion.) Drop briskly the left hand by the side.

1. Unfix 2. BAYONET.
One time and three motions.

SS 209. (First and second motions.) The same as the first and second motions of fix bayonet, except that, at the end of the second command, the thumb of the right hand will be placed on the spring of the sabre-bayonet, and the left hand will embrace the handle of the sabre-bayonet and the barrel, the thumb extended along the blade. If the rifle musket is used, at the end of the second command turn the clasp of the bayonet by pressing against it with the thumb of the left hand, and then grasp the socket of the bayonet with the left hand, the shank resting between the thumb and fore-finger, the, thumb pointed up.

SS 210. (Third motion.) Press the thumb of the right band on the spring, wrest off the sabre bayonet, turn it to the right, the edge to the front, lower the guard until it touches the right hand, which will seize the back and the edge of the blade between the thumb and first two fingers, the other fingers holding the piece; change the position of the hand without quitting the handle, return the sabre-bayonet to the scabbard, and seize the piece with the left hand, the arm extended. If the rifle musket is used, the following will be the method, viz.: (Third motion.) Wrest off the bayonet, turn it to the right, bringing the point of the bayonet down; change the position of the hand without quitting hold of the shank of the socket, return the bayonet to the scabbard, and seize the piece with the left hand, the arm extended.

1. Shoulder 2. ARMS.
One time and two motions.

SS 211. (First motion.) The same as the first motion from fix bayonet, No. 200.

SS 212. (Second motion.) The same as the second motion from fix bayonet, No. 201.

Being at the position of Order Arms,

1. Fix 2. BAYONET.

SS 241. Take the position indicated in No. 236, fix bayonets as explained, and imediately resume the position of ordered arms.

(REF) SS 236. (First motion.) Seize the piece with the left hand below and near the upper band, carry it with both bands opposite the middle of the body, the butt between the feet, the rammer to the rear, the barrel vertical, the muzzle about three inches from the body; (should the rifle musket be used, the muzzle will be about eight inches from the body); carry the left hand reversed to the bayonet, draw it from the scabbard and fix it on the barrel; grasp the piece with the left band below and near the upper band, seize the rammer with the thumb and fore-finger of the right hand bent, the other fingers closed.