Original Item: Only One Item Available. This is an excellent condition, possibly unissued WWII issue Japanese Model 30 Arisaka rifle bayonet manufactured by Kokura Arsenal in the Kyūshū Island of Japan. It may even be possible that it was manufactured at the Imperial Japanese Army Tokyo Arsenal, which used the same maker mark, however the high serial number on the pommel indicates it was most likely made at Kokura. It is the earliest pattern with a bright steel blade, rounded grip retained by screws, and hooked quillon. It comes complete with its original steel scabbard and an excellent condition original leather frog. This may be the best example that we have ever had.

Condition of bayonet is excellent, with lots of the original finish and only light wear. There is a bit of staining on the bright steel blade, which still has the original factory "blunt" edge. The wooden grip scales are great, and the scabbard has a great finish and only light wear. The original leather frog is still supple with no cracking or deterioration we can see. The only issue is the usual verdigris buildup around the brass securing buckle.

We very rarely see examples in this great condition. This would pair perfectly with any excellent condition Arisaka rifle.

History of the Type 30 Bayonet-

The Type 30 bayonet (三十年式銃剣 sanjunen-shiki juken) was a bayonet designed for the Imperial Japanese Army to be used with the Arisaka Type 30 Rifle and was later used on the Type 38 and Type 99 rifles. Some 8.4 million were produced, and it remained in front-line use from the Russo-Japanese War to the end of World War II.

Type 30 Bayonet was a single-edged sword bayonet with a 400 millimetres (15.75 in) blade and an overall length of 514 millimetres (20.24 in) with a weight of approximately 700 grams. The Type 30 bayonet is also known as the "Pattern 1897 bayonet". Early Type 30 bayonets usually sported a hooked quillion guard that gave it a distinct look, but later models had a straight hand guard. 

This bayonet is of the pre-war early pattern, with a hooked quillon cross guard, screw retained contoured grips, a contoured "bird's head" pommel, and bright steel fullered blade. This the earliest pattern made at Kokura Arsenal before and during WWII. The base of the bayonet is marked with serial number 343351.

The design was intended to give the average Japanese infantryman a long enough reach to piece the abdomen of a cavalryman. However, the design had a number of drawbacks, some caused by the poor quality of forgings used, which tended to rust quickly and not hold an edge, and to break when bent.

These bayonets were manufactured from 1897 to 1945 at a number of locations, including the Kokura Arsenal, Koishikawa Arsenal (Tokyo) and Nagoya Arsenal, as well as under contract by private manufacturers including Matsushita, Toyoda Automatic Loom and many others, including Jinsen Arsenal in Occupied Korea.