This is a Japanese Type 30 trainer bayonet featuring a 15.5-inch blade, steel guard with hooked quillon, and wood grips secured by rivets. Unlike combat-issued Type 30 bayonets, this example bears no arsenal markings, identifying it as a training bayonet rather than a field-issued piece. These training variants were commonly produced for use in military schools and training facilities across Japan prior to and during World War II.
Historical Background
The Type 30 bayonet was originally introduced in 1897 and issued for use with the Arisaka rifle series, remaining in service through World War II. By the 1930s and 1940s, Japan had expanded its military training programs, leading to the production of simplified or unmarked trainer bayonets. These were not intended for battlefield use but rather for drill and practice by cadets and recruits.
While lacking the official arsenal stamps and finishing details of service bayonets, trainer examples are historically significant, as they reflect Japan’s emphasis on preparing large numbers of conscripts during its era of militarization. Collectors often seek these variants as a complement to full military-issued examples, as they demonstrate the breadth of Japan’s wartime production and training infrastructure.
