This is a Japanese Type 30 bayonet produced at the Nagoya Rikugun Zoheisho Arsenal during the pre war years of world War II. There were a total of 8.4 million of these Type 30 bayonets produced between 1897 and the end of World War II. This model bayonet saw several changes through it's lifetime. Originally, the Type 30 had a rounded bird's head pommel, contoured wrap around wood grips secured by screws and oval washers, the crossguard had a hook and the bright blade had a fuller. During the 1930's the blades began to be blued. The first modification was the removal of the hook from the crossguard. Next the grips were changed to flat sided contoured grips fastened with rivets instead of screws. The bird's head pommel went from round to flat, later being changed to rectangular. The blade fuller was the next change, being omitted. This particular Nagoya is a bright finished blade, one of only two types produced at this arsenal. The serial number is 30683, making this Type 30 a variation A, the harder to find of the two variants. This one has an overall length of 20". The blade length is 15 5/8". The scabbard that came with this bayonet is the early metal ball-tipped scabbard measuring 16 3/8" in length. The muzzle ring measures 9/16". The bayonet is in very good condition. The bright, fullered blade is very clean, no pitting at all! The finish is good on the crossguard, pommel and tang. The obverse side of the blade has a crisp Nagoya stamp. The contoured wood grips are in good condition. They are retained by two screws with two washers in the right grip and two washers in the left grip. The metal scabbard is in good condition. It retains over 90% of the bluing, and has minimal light pitting. This is a common bayonet according to Raymond Labar's book, "Bayonets of Japan". If you collect WWII Japanese items take a good look at this one!

Item # AA1218

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