This is a Japanese Type 30 bayonet produced at the Jinsen Rikugun Zoheisho Arsenal during the early 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 Jinsen, an early production piece, has a blued blade. The serial number is 72126, making this Type 30 a variation F. This one has an overall length of 20 1/16". The blade length is 15 3/8". The scabbard that came with this bayonet is an early ball-tipped scabbard measuring 16 3/8" in length. The muzzle ring measures 9/16". The bayonet is in good condition. The blued, fullered blade is very clean, no pitting at all! The finish is good on the crossguard, pommel and tang. There are a couple of knicks near the end of the blade. The obverse side of the blade has a crisp Jinsen Arsenal stamp. The contoured wood grips are in good condition. They are retained by two rivets in the contoured wrap around grips. The metal scabbard is in good condition. It retains over 80% 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 # AA1262

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