Japanese Type 30 Bayonet, Early Production

Description

The Arisaka 6.5 mm Type 30 rifle was introduced in 1897 (30^th year of Emperor Meiji’s reign) and fitted with the Type 30 bayonet, as offered here. This early production example features a 15 1/2” (39.4 cm) blade with single fuller; the ricasso stamped with Toyoda Jidou Shokki (Toyoda Automatic Loomworks) maker’s stamp. Blued guard featuring hooked quillon, rounded bird’s head pommel with push-button release, and wood slab grips secured with screws and oval washers. End of pommel stamped with serial number 24904. Original steel scabbard of good quality. Later wartime examples showed reduced quality, having unfullered blades, only partial metal finishing, lack of hooked guard, and often wood or even rubber scabbards. Metal with light pitting and rust marking; the grips showing dents and finish loss. Overall length 20” (50.8 cm), not including scabbard.