During WW1 it became obvious that troops need a relatively compact mean to cut the barbed wire obstacles. Sapper tools were not issued widely and overcoming barbed wires was a disastrous part of any offensive causing numerous casualties. So Russia developed a special wire cutting device which was attached to the “experimental bayonet” and made it possible for any soldier to cut the wire obstacles.
During its testing, it proved to be pretty effective. Soldiers could cut the wires not exposing themselves to enemy fire. A soldier had to catch the wire between the two blades and push the rifle forward thus forcing the diamond shaped mechanism to work the wire cutter and cut the wire. The device had a spring loaded mechanism, which allowed it to retract back once the pressure was no longer applied.
https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/12/27/7-rare-mosin-nagant-rifle-modifications-accessories/
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I’d like to see the mechanism work.
I’ll do you one better, a plausibly intoxicated Ms paint drawing of how it could work.
Almost! Those two inner arrows should be facing the opposite way
The bottom blade will be pushed backwards, causing the diamond to expand up and down. This will cause the blade to twist so it can snip like scissors.
Good eye I was thinking it engaged with the main blade of the bayonet.
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Pretty smart design!
I wonder if those cutters where you shoot the wire were yet around or viable. They seem simpler but of course louder
