Mike,
I offer the following comments on your three Japanese Type 30 (i.e., Model 1897) bayonets...
Postings 7, 8, & 9
This bayonet was made by Kokura Arsenal and is what Japanese bayonets collectors refer to as a Variation A JB 32 (i.e., a Japanese Type 30 bayonet with a contoured bird's head pommel, contoured wrap-around grips, hooked cross-guard, and bright, fullered, blade). The stampings on the end of the pommel indicate that the bayonet was produced in the (American) 38th Series because of the encircled katakana character "ki." (In general, a series was a 100,000 bayonets.) The kanji character below the series mark and serial number is "ko" as in "Kokura" and is an inspection mark.
Postings 10, 11, 13, & 15 (?)
This bayonet was made by Matsu****a Kinzoku or Matsu****a Steel and is what Japanese bayonets collectors refer to as a Variation C JB 57 (i.e., a Japanese Type 30 bayonet with a flat bird's head pommel, contoured wrap-around grips, hooked cross-guard, and blued, fullered, blade). I can not make out the series and serial number stampings on the end of the pommel in Posting 15. The kanji character below the series mark and serial number appears to be "saka" as in "Osaka" and is an inspection mark.
Posting 14
This bayonet was made by Tokyo Arsenal and is what Japanese bayonets collectors refer to as a Variation A JB 32 (i.e., a Japanese Type 30 bayonet with a contoured bird's head pommel, contoured wrap-around grips, hooked cross-guard, and bright, fullered, blade). The stamping below the arsenal mark on the blade is the kanji character "WA" and is an inspection mark that is typically found on Variation A JB 32 bayonets in the 343200 to 1104987 serial number range.
Hope this helps.
Eric
I offer the following comments on your three Japanese Type 30 (i.e., Model 1897) bayonets...
Postings 7, 8, & 9
This bayonet was made by Kokura Arsenal and is what Japanese bayonets collectors refer to as a Variation A JB 32 (i.e., a Japanese Type 30 bayonet with a contoured bird's head pommel, contoured wrap-around grips, hooked cross-guard, and bright, fullered, blade). The stampings on the end of the pommel indicate that the bayonet was produced in the (American) 38th Series because of the encircled katakana character "ki." (In general, a series was a 100,000 bayonets.) The kanji character below the series mark and serial number is "ko" as in "Kokura" and is an inspection mark.
Postings 10, 11, 13, & 15 (?)
This bayonet was made by Matsu****a Kinzoku or Matsu****a Steel and is what Japanese bayonets collectors refer to as a Variation C JB 57 (i.e., a Japanese Type 30 bayonet with a flat bird's head pommel, contoured wrap-around grips, hooked cross-guard, and blued, fullered, blade). I can not make out the series and serial number stampings on the end of the pommel in Posting 15. The kanji character below the series mark and serial number appears to be "saka" as in "Osaka" and is an inspection mark.
Posting 14
This bayonet was made by Tokyo Arsenal and is what Japanese bayonets collectors refer to as a Variation A JB 32 (i.e., a Japanese Type 30 bayonet with a contoured bird's head pommel, contoured wrap-around grips, hooked cross-guard, and bright, fullered, blade). The stamping below the arsenal mark on the blade is the kanji character "WA" and is an inspection mark that is typically found on Variation A JB 32 bayonets in the 343200 to 1104987 serial number range.
Hope this helps.
Eric
Mike
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