This example is from the 42nd Series, the first series of bayonets produced by the Toyoda Jido Shokki Seisakusho (Toyoda Automatic Loom Works), under Nagoya Army Arsenal supervision. Toyoda made bayonets from 1938–1945.

This is an early (LaBar LB–140) TALW bayonet, made ca. 1938, with a highly polished, fullered blade; hooked quillon, contoured grips fastened with screws set in escutcheons; and, a contoured birds-head pommel. The maker’s mark on this example is of the earliest TALW style, with the Kanji inside the diamond pointing upward.

The round figure-8 like mark is the Nagoya Army Arsenal mark. The Nagoya Arsenal mark represents two Shachi (Golden Dolphins). Shachi were mythical creatures with the body of a carp and the head of a tiger. They were believed able to cause rain to fall, so were often used as roof adornments in Buddhist architecture as protection from fire. A famous pair of Shachi adorned the main keep at Nagoya Castle, Nagoya’s signature landmark. The Castle was destroyed in the bombing of May 15, 1945, and was reconstructed in 1959. The diamond-shaped mark identifies Toyoda as the contractor that produced the bayonet.

The scabbard is of the pattern contemporary to this bayonet (LaBar LBS–2).

Toyoda Automatic Loom Works began producing automobiles in 1933. In 1937, the automobile department became a separate company which grew into what is known today as Toyota Motor Sales.

This example (LaBar LB–109) is from the 84th Series, the first series of bayonets produced by Matsushita with a straight crosspiece. It features a highly polished, blued, fullered blade; straight crosspiece, contoured wraparound grips fastened with rivets; and, a flat birds-head pommel. These bayonets were contemporary to Mid-War 7.7 mm. Type 99 Short Rifles, made during the transition from standard designs to substitute-standard manufacturing simplifications.

The three-sided cloverleaf mark is the Kokura Army Arsenal mark. The mark depicts a stack of four cannonballs viewed from above. The capital letter "M" with an arrow through it identifies Matsushita as the contractor that produced the bayonet.

The scabbard is a late-War pattern with tubular end and flat frog band (LaBar LBS–5).

Matsushita was founded at Osaka in 1918 to make consumer household electric appliances. The company survived multiple B-29 raids on Osaka during 1945 and subsequently evolved into the present-day Panasonic Corporation.

This example was made by the Hikari Seiki Seisakusho KK (Precision Optical Manufacturing Corp.), under Kokura Army Arsenal supervision. Hikari Seiki made bayonets from 1938–1945.

This example (LaBar LB–103) is from the 95th series, which was the final series of bayonets produced by Hikari Seiki. This bayonet exhibits the simplified manufacture typical of late-war substitute-standard bayonets:

•  Crude, unfullered blade;
•  Straight crosspiece;
•  Rectangular pommel; and,
•  Riveted, slab-sided grips.

The scabbard is made of wood, with minimal steel mounts, held together with glued string, and painted olive green (LaBar LBS–10).

The pole bayonet lacked the mortise, press stud, and muzzle ring needed for mounting to a rifle. They were produced in anticipation of the need to arm the Japanese civil population to repel the expected American invasion of the Japanese Home Islands.

This example (LaBar LB–163) was made at Jinsen Arsenal in Japanese-occupied Korea. Jinsen pole bayonets were made from a wedge-shaped steel blank.

Jinsen was the Japanese name for the Korean seaport of Inchon. Inchon was the site of the first naval battle of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–05. Japan occupied Korea from 1905–1945. During the Korean War, Inchon was the site of the famous amphibious assault led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

Tang: "28001" and inspection marks

School (or 'Trainer') rifles and bayonets were made in local workshops of scrap rifle parts, soft steel and cast metal. The rifles fired only blanks, caps, or were non-firing "clicker" models. The fit and finish of these bayonets are inferior to the Army issue pieces, as they weren't expected to stand up to the rigors of service use. Japanese Army and Naval Landing Forces used regular service bayonets for bayonet training.

This example exhibits rather good workmanship for a school bayonet. Common characteristics that differentiate school bayonets from service bayonets include:

•  Shallow, sloppy fuller;
•  No arsenal markings;
•  Thin crosspiece; and,
•  Poorly fitting press stud.

This example (LaBar LBT–8) will mount to a service rifle. However, many school bayonets will not, because school bayonets were not made to government specifications.

The scabbard is of the pattern found with school bayonets (LaBar LBS–33).

This example (LaBar LBT–15) will not mount on a service rifle, due to the smaller muzzle ring (0.550–0.570 in. [14.0–14.5 mm.] was typical for a service bayonet).

The scabbard is a Late-War pattern found with school bayonets (LaBar LBS–35). It has a simple welded frog loop and integral throat.

The frog measures 8.00 in. (203 mm.) long by 2.25 in. (57 mm.) wide.

Carter classified this frog as #351. LaBar classified it as LBF #57.

According to Carter, this type frog was probably made post-1940.  An oval opening in the frog was to allow a cloth strap on the tunic to pass under the belt, through the frog opening, to a button on the uniform. This was supposed to keep the weight of the bayonet from pulling the soldier's belt down at the side.

Research published by collector/ researcher, Nick Komiya, indicates that this design was a two-in-one hybrid intended to replace the Y-design (pictured below) and the single belt loop design. The single loop frog was adopted in 1901 to enable artillerists to more easily slide the frog along the belt to get their bayonet out of the way when squatting or sitting.

Bayonet Belt Frogs Page

The frog measures 7.75 in. (197 mm.) long by 2.875 in. (73 mm.) wide.

Carter classified this frog as #361. LaBar classified this frog as LBF #23.

The frog is made of rubberized canvas (artificial leather). The frontpiece is attached with stitching and reinforced with steel rivets. The scabbard securing strap on this example is rubberized canvas with a steel buckle.

According to research published by collector/researcher, Nick Komiya, rubberized canvas was introduced in 1940. This example is an early piece. The Y-design was superceded by the design shown above in 1941. The securing strap was changed back to leather in March 1941. These frogs proved too fragile in combat, so were prioritized for issue to training units and rear-area troops.

Although in quite good condition, the frog is stiff and hard as wood.

Bayonet Belt Frogs Page

Flag measures 14.75 in. (375 mm.) by 12.00 in. (305 mm.).

These flags are often seen in Second World War photographs, tied to a fixed bayonet. The image at left shows the flag tied to a Type 30 bayonet affixed to a 6.5 mm. Type I Naval Rifle.