The Imperial Japanese Army Type 30 bayonet was produced from 1897 until 1945 to accompany the Arisaka Type 38 rifle. The designation as Type 30 was a result of the bayonets official adoption in the 30th year of the Emperors’ reign.
Until the late 1930’s, the Type 30 bayonet remained virtually unchanged, but as wartime production increased, numerous civilian contractors as well as military and colonial arsenals were engaged to produce the Type 30 and this, combined with wartime shortages and expediency forced simplifications in production, resulting in a large number of variations.
This bayonet was manufactured at the Kokura Arsenal in Tokyo and is a pre-WW2 example. The cross-piece has a hooked quillon and the contoured wooden grip scales are secured by screws with oval washers. The hilt is finished with a contoured birds’ head pommel.
The 398mm blade has a slightly rounded spine and long, narrow fuller on both sides. The blade is single edged and is in good condition, free from rust or damage with only a few small patches of tarnish. The ricasso is stamped with the interlocking circles of the Tokyo Kokura Arsenal.
The cross-piece and birds’ head pommel retain their polished finish with minor wear. The wooden grip scales are in fair to good condition with use related marks. The pommel is stamped with the serial number 3072345 and inspection stamps. The press stud mechanism is in good, crisp working order.
The bayonet is complete with its blued steel scabbard with early button-type end. The scabbard is in good condition and retains its blued finish.
This is a better than average example of a pre-war Japanese Type 30 Arisaka bayonet.
