Original Item. Only One Available. This is a heavily service used Imperial Japanese Type 30 Arisaka rifle bayonet, most likely manufactured by Kokura Arsenal on Kyūshū. It retains its hooked quillon, rounded wooden grip scales secured by screws, original steel scabbard, and original leather frog. The blade has lost nearly all of its original blued finish, while the grips and frog show substantial wear and material deterioration.

The ricasso bears the four stacked cannonball arsenal mark used by both the Imperial Japanese Army’s Tokyo Arsenal and Kokura Arsenal.

The pommel is serial numbered 37850. The relatively high serial number is more consistent with Kokura production, although manufacture at Tokyo Arsenal cannot be ruled out conclusively from the arsenal mark and serial number alone.

The Type 30 bayonet was adopted in 1897 for use with the Type 30 Arisaka rifle. It was subsequently issued with the Type 38 and Type 99 rifles and remained in Japanese military service from the Russo-Japanese War through the end of WWII.

This example has a single edge steel blade, rounded wooden grip scales secured by screws, and the distinctive hooked quillon associated with earlier and transitional Type 30 production.

The blade was originally blued, but nearly all of the finish has been lost through service wear, oxidation, and handling. Only small traces remain in protected recesses.

The blade remains full length but shows extensive surface wear consistent with prolonged use and storage.

The wooden grip scales are heavily worn and dented. One side has visible material loss, and both scales exhibit the effects of sustained handling and age. The grip screws remain present. The hooked quillon and crossguard are intact.

The bayonet is complete with its original steel scabbard. The scabbard retains a strong amount of finish and shows moderate wear without major damage noted.

An original leather frog remains fitted to the scabbard. The frog is in rough and structurally weak condition. The leather is nearly broken through at the bend and could separate if flexed or placed under tension. The strap and buckle to the front show very heavy wear. The frog should be supported during display and should not be used to suspend the weight of the bayonet and scabbard.

Approximately 8.4 million Type 30 bayonets were produced between 1897 and 1945 by Japanese government arsenals and private contractors. Manufacturers included Tokyo, Kokura, and Nagoya arsenals, as well as Matsushita, Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, Jinsen Arsenal in Japanese occupied Korea, and other firms.

The long sword bayonet configuration was intended to increase the reach of the Japanese infantryman when mounted on a rifle. Its approximately 400mm blade gave the complete rifle and bayonet combination considerable length for close combat.

The worn blade, battered wooden grips, and fragile frog reflect extensive service and subsequent age. The surviving arsenal mark, serial number 37850, hooked quillon, complete scabbard, and original leather frog nevertheless preserve the principal components of this Imperial Japanese Type 30 bayonet.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 15 3/4"
Blade Style: Single Edge Bayonet
Overall length: 20 1/8“
Crossguard: 3 3/4”
Scabbard Length: 16 1/2"