I think it's an intimidation kind of thing. Surrender or become a pin cushion. If you ever get a chance to shoot a 12 or 97 with the extra steel installed try it. The gun has a very different feel with a bayonet to say the least. But I'm beginning to see a pattern here. A lot of my revolvers have lanyard rings and my long guns have bayonet mounts. A Norinco 97 trench gun, my M12 trench, an 1876 Winchester musket, a Krag Constabulary rifle, an M-1 Garand and a Taylors Winchester 1866 musket is on order. They say don't bring a knife to a gun fight but why not a gun with a knife to a gunfight?