Type 30 Bayonet

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	Weapon: Type 30 Bayonet Type: Sword Bayonet Country of Origin: Japan Year Adopted: 1897 Overall Length (mm): 510.0 Overall Length (in): 20.08 Weight (kg): 0.70 Weight (pounds): 1.54

The Type 30 bayonet was adopted by the Imperial Japanese Army in 1897 for use with the Type 30 Arisaka rifle and later became the standard bayonet for nearly all Japanese rifles through World War II. It featured a straight, single-edged blade approximately 400 mm (15.75 inches) in length, with a fullered design and a sharpened false edge near the tip. The bayonet had a hooked quillon crossguard, wooden grip panels secured by rivets, and a steel pommel with a push-button locking mechanism. The long blade was intended to give infantry an advantage in reach during bayonet charges.

Production of the Type 30 bayonet spanned from 1897 through 1945, with millions manufactured by multiple arsenals including Kokura, Toyoda, and Nagoya, as well as subcontractors across occupied territories. As World War II progressed and material shortages worsened, later production variants saw simplified features such as straight or squared quillons, unfullered blades, and even bamboo or pressed steel scabbards. Despite these changes, the basic design remained remarkably consistent and was issued with a wide variety of rifles, including the Type 38 and Type 99 Arisakas.

The Type 30 bayonet saw extensive service in conflicts from the Russo-Japanese War to the Second Sino-Japanese War and throughout World War II. It gained notoriety during the Pacific War for its use in brutal close combat and was frequently observed in Japanese banzai charges. Post-war, large quantities were captured and brought back by Allied soldiers as souvenirs. Today, the Type 30 bayonet is one of the most recognizable and collectible Japanese military edged weapons, valued for its historical significance, distinctive design, and widespread use.