SOLD - Last-Ditch T30 Pole Bayonet

Description

1/30/23 - This is a scarce, end-of-war production T30 "pole bayonet". These were made as a last-ditch effort to arm citizens of Japan in preparation for a US invasion. These bayonets were made with no slot for a rifle, and were instead meant to be affixed to a pole of any kind as a spear or polearm. This example is in great overall condition with a very nice blade that still retains most of the original finish. There's some thinning and surface patina, mostly near the tip. The base of the blade is maker stamped by Jinsen Arsenal. Known as a Variation N LB-163 in Labar's book on Japanese bayonets. The cross guard has two holes for ambidextrous mounting. The cross guard is crude with surface dings and patina. The handle is wrapped and finished with a shiny varnish of some kind. Comes with a late-war bamboo wood scabbard as shown. The bayonet is missing a section of wood along the edge and has some cracking, but is still intact.