Hi all,
I was watching the Military Channel this morning and noticed something interesting regarding a segment on the War of 1812 (1812-1815; between the US and Great Britain). A historian showed a bayonet from this period, which I noticed featured an cross section almost identical to that of the typical Japanese spear tip ("hira sankaku" in Japanese). It was a "flat" triangle in shape, consisting of a long side, which was opposed by a raised "V" shape on the other side. The historian said this shape was later banned from production due to the extensive trauma it caused, and that this type of trauma was very hard to repair. He also stated it was necessary to apply counter pressure against the enemy with the foot in order to extract the bayonet ("hikinuki" in Japanese).
I found it interesting that a European country on the opposite side of Asia from Japan happened to develop a bayonet shape that is basically the same as the Japanese spear blade. There must be something to it I guess.
Regards,