Got a great one for the collection this weekend and thought I would share. This is one I have seen a very few of over the years and that I have always thought of as the very last of the last of the Type 30's probably produced in the last couple months of the war. Rough production with that blobby "just get it together" welding like you start to see on the very last of the last rifles and other production including use of substandard metal for the crossgaurd to save on good steel where it was only needed. Had a brief chat with our resident expert and he has a very pragmatic take that we don't really know exactly who made these or when, which I can agree with. In my mind at minimum it's Japanese given the general cut of the metal parts as well as what I always thought of as green "army" paint on the scabbard. Possible Chinese manufacture had always entered my mind in the past until I owned one (now) and could put it beside a super late Jinsen or Toyada. The cut of many parts matches up. Another thought I've heard around for years was the possibility of these being trainers, but I've never seen one with a rounded edge, only a normal factory style sharpening. Also, given the lack of false edge I've always ruled out naval manufacture.
Love feedback from any of our researchers if they've ever found anything out more definitive on these unmarked late bayonets over the years? Regardless; so happy to have one in the collection now. FYI, for anyone checking this is like a cross between what Ray has in his book as an LB-241 and LB-241B. Welded on pot-metal crossgaurd with the sheet metal throat and tip on green painted scabbard. Maybe we'll call it LB-241-C. Ha.
Love feedback from any of our researchers if they've ever found anything out more definitive on these unmarked late bayonets over the years? Regardless; so happy to have one in the collection now. FYI, for anyone checking this is like a cross between what Ray has in his book as an LB-241 and LB-241B. Welded on pot-metal crossgaurd with the sheet metal throat and tip on green painted scabbard. Maybe we'll call it LB-241-C. Ha.
