Sweden

Swedish history of 19th and 20th centuries is much less violent then that of previous ages. Thel last relevant military struggles took place during Napoleonic period and resulted in loss of Finland to Russia. Then Sweden entered peaceful period of personal union with Norway and then neutrality, that characterized this country also in 20th century.

In this long years Swedish army was not neglected. Weaponery had been developed and upgraded as in other European countries. Kammerladder breach loading percussion rifle appeared in 1851 and could easy oppose Dreyse pin rifle, soon came Remington rolling block, Mauser system rifles a few years later then in Germany.

Bayonets also followed trends – socket, then yatagan blades, then knife bayonets and before WWI longer knife, as most trendy models of that time (Arisakas, SMLE, Berthier, Mauser butcher blade and many others).

Long edged weapons evolved in 19th century from cutting sabers to huge cavalry swords with straight blades for pointing. Sometimes they were of of experimantal modern design and shape, like “Gottlands huggare” or mane other design of “bolo-like” blade shape.

Most of this weapons had been released to civil market as military surplus. Usually they are not worn and heavily used. And most of them had been manufactured from high quality materials with perfect craftsmanship. All the above makes them really nice blades.

Here are some pieces from my collection with obvious lack of socket bayonets – I don’t care for them;)

There is no other reference site for Scandinavian bayonets than Per Holmback’s site – www.holmback.se