on the fixing of bayonets

[Macruran]

Left shoulders?? Any rationale?

I don't know but I'd guess to avoid hitting their hats with their bayonets!

I have to leave mine as they are now cos I paint my rifle barrels, so my bayonets must not be shifted...how about acw? I hope Americans prefer to do things in the opposite way!

I'm seeing a mixture for ACW, with plenty on the right hand side. Though they often seem to be marching with their weapons trigger out, instead of trigger in like the Napoleonics.

[cheng]

I don't know but I'd guess to avoid hitting their hats with their bayonets!

I'm seeing a mixture for ACW, with plenty on the right hand side. Though they often seem to be marching with their weapons trigger out, instead of trigger in like the Napoleonics.

haha, in kliky world, i switched bayonet sides so fit klikies' right hands, while in the real world, soldiers had to switch hands to accomodate their bayonets? ok...accept your logic until we find a different reason.

as for 'trigger in or out' I think this is a good point to research too....if this was playmoboard, posts would be flying in fast and furious (not in an angry sense) from many members...i only hope pf dont mind us getting too serious about such details here.

[Baron Marshall]

If you carry a second weapon like a pistol or a sword, you carry your gun on your left shoulder so you can use your right arm to pull out/ use the other weapon (unless you are left handed) 

[cachalote]

finally i am understanding why pirates had such an easy way conquering entire cities.
while redcoats were trying to decide where and how to fix their bayonets, pirates simply had no problems with their cutlasses and axes.

- what's the problem, you don't want to fight?
- i am sorry, i just can't figure the instructions that came with this bayonet?
- can i go on alone then?
- be my guest, please.
- do you prefer to be slashed on your right side or left?
- could you please be the one to decide? just as long as you don't ruin my hat i am o.k. with both sides.
- o.k. here it goes.
- ...

i've never seen such a bloody topic in this board.
blue blood, of course. 

[Bolingbroke]

i can only imagine the terror of being charged at with a bayonet.

[Macruran]

Well just think how the klickies feel!

[Rhalius]

Good thing the playmobil bajonets are dull so they wont feel much of it. 

[cachalote]

shame is also a feeling rhalius.
and shame can make a klicky bleed inside...

[Hadoque]

Left shoulders?? Any rationale?

In case of the Redcoats I can understand, after all they also drive on the wrong side of the road 

After an hours long Google search, I found no good answer about the weapon carried over the left or right shoulder, only some similar questions on ACW reenactment forums ...
(I did learn that Napoleon still preferred faster muskets for his troops over more accurate rifles, which the British preferred.)