Japanese Bayonet

A bayonet (from French "baïonnette") is a knife- or dagger-shaped weapon designed to fit on or over the muzzle of a rifle or similar weapon. It is a close combat weapon. The evolution of the japenese bayonet can be traced to a certain extent to a fortuitous accident. The japense bayonet had a round handle that fit directly into the musket barrel. This naturally prevented the gun from being fired. Many socket bayonets were triangular in cross-section in order to provide sideways stability of the blade without much increase in weight. This design of bayonet did not include a handle to use the blade apart from the gun.
The Japanese bayonets are often constructed with a catch that secures the bayonet in the scabbard. A one-piece catch and spring extends the entire length of the hilt to the pommel, secured by a single screw. The catch projects upward and protrudes through a hole in the cross guard. The blade of the bayonet is bright and has flat fullers.
The primary kind of bayonet used on Japanese rifles in World War II was the Type 30, introduced in 1897. The average length of these bayonets was about 20 inches and were produced in 18 distinct manufacturing patterns. They bore serial numbers assigned independently from those assigned to the rifles