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Posted 1 year ago
Dr_Rambow
(88 items)
Got these bayonets from my late uncle's estate. I had to research for a while to find out their origin, but was able to get the information I needed. I took a glamor shot with some other things like my Grandfather's 4th MD patch, some service medals, Marine devices, and a lovely 1942 dated 20mm round.
The one on the bottom of the second image (Toyoda marking in 3rd image) is a late war, bare bones model which still has the wooden scabbard. The top one (Tokyo mark in 4th image) is an older version (pre-WWII?) with a full metal scabbard which has (unfortunately) been cut down to a shorter dagger like size.
If anyone has any other information to add, I would love to hear it.
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Some of this you may already know, but…
These are the type 30 series of bayonets, originally for the Type 30 Arisaka Rifle. “30” means the 30th year of the Emperor Meji, which was 1897. Even though the rifles were updated several times, this model bayonet was continued for the later rifles.
About the top bayonet: As you mentioned, this bayonet has the arsenal stamp used by Tokyo Arsenal until 1936 or so. After 1936, this marking was used by the Kokura arsenal. For some reason, unknown quantities of these bayonets were shortened to a 9-3/4” blade. Janzen’s Notebook identifies this as the “Type 30 shortened 1942” Scabbards were also altered to fit these shorter bayonets, although you appear to have the standard length.
About the bottom bayonet: Again, as you mentioned, this is a late war example of the type 30 bayonet, with the late war wooden scabbard. Toyada Automatic Loom Works (the diamond shaped marking) was a subcontractor working under the supervision of Nagoya Arsenal (Circular marking).
As with firearms today , in close quarters combat shorter is better, Could it be the bayonets were shortened for , say jungle warfare ? Trying to swing a weapon that is over 5 ft. long with bayonet past vines,bamboo, trees, etc. has got to be a bitch when your life is on the line. Thus on the AMERICAN side you have the Carbine. Just plain logic talkin. Id like to know if I'm right .
Thanks for the information, in any case. More opinions are always better for this sort of thing.
For the shortened one, does that modification reduce the value by a lot? Full length examples are not too hard to find for price checks, but a chopped up one isn't as easy.
Opinion only: Since this is a recognised government arsenal modification that is more difficult to find than the unaltered bayonet, someone specializing in Japanese bayonets might actually pay a bit more for it than the longer length to fill that spot in his collection. A more generalized collector might prefer a the iconic long bayonet with hooked quillion, especially if he thinks the modification wasn't officially done.
Short answer, I think you'll get considerably less for it unless you find the right buyer.
By the way, where I wrote "Toyada" in the earlier post, I meant to write "Toyoda."
That's sort of what I was thinking. I was planning on keeping them, but a life long buddy of mine asked me if I'd be willing to sell him one of the two. I still haven't decided, but I wanted to give him an honest number. Thanks again!
One word.....Nice!