Austrian generals, however, considered the musket less of a fire arm than a means of holding the bayonet; cold steel. The 1838 pattern thrust bayonet was 34 cm long and had four ribs, it used a Lockart socket and was normally carried in a iron- or brass- bound scabbard.

In 1854 a new muzzle-loading rifle was introduced with a Lorenz cap-lock firing mechanism. This had a length of 133.5 cm, weighed 4.12 kilograms and fired a 13.9 mm ball. Better versions of this gun, used by NCOs and marksmen were sighted at 900 paces and by 1862 this version, with a smaller lock and a steel barrel was being used by all the rank and file.

Once again, despite improvements in performance, it was still the bayonet that was considered the primary weapon. This bayonet was 46.5 cm long with four equally sized ribs, had a pattern socket and was carried in a wood and leather scabbard that was iron mounted.

By 1864 breechloading guns were widely available and the Prussian 'needle gun' had been known, and even tested by Feldseugmeister Augustin in extensive trials in 1851. However, the verdict was negative and the official reason for not adopting this superior weapon was that "rapid fire will merely exhaust the ammunition supply".

In addition to rifle and bayonet, some of the NCOs and the officers also carried an infantry saber. The pattern of the saber changed slightly from the original, of 1836, to that carried after 1862, but the change was mainly in the hilt, where the S-hilt replaced the stirrup-hilt. The blade was 66 cm long and 3.8 cm wide and was carried in an iron and leather scabbard.