Kiipu

The three markings below were used by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War 2. Two of the three show up on military swords. 1. The star inspection mark used for material inspection. It shows up on some military swords. I have not seen this mark used on other items though. 2. The chevron marking (山形 yamagata) as used on swords is a partial (or halfway) inspection mark used by the Imperial Japanese Army. It shows up on army arsenal or civilian factory made ordnance items. This marking is not specific to any one location but can be used by any factory. The stamp was used from 1941 to the end of the war in 1945. This is a common stamp and can be found on just about any item made during 1941 to 1945. 3. The X mark denotes failure to pass inspection. For this reason, it is seldom seen. However, toward the end of the war some of these parts were put to use. I have seen them used on some late war rifles that were unserialized. Works Consulted Japan. Rikugunshō 陸軍省 (War Ministry). Rikugun Heiki Gyōsei Honbu 陸軍兵器行政本部 (Army Ordnance Administration Headquarters). Ken’in oyobi hyōshiki kitei 檢印及標識規定 (Regulations for Inspection Marks and Signs). General Order 2389. 19 October 1943.

The bayonet you pictured above is a Japanese Type Year 30 Bayonet made by Matsushita Metal Co., Ltd., 松下金属株式會社. It is from the 39th series, ㋴90221, and is a variation C, JB-35. The final inspection mark is that used by Ōsaka Arsenal, 阪. The entire 39th series was made by Matsushita even though some only have the Kokura Arsenal symbol on the riccaso. Matsushita began Type Year 30 Bayonet production in 1939 and made bayonets until the end of the war. Thanks for sharing your bayonet pictures.

This is indeed the high number for a Type 32 Ko. The early Type 32's were undated and the earliest dated example I know of is 明四三 (Otsu 75251). I have never seen or heard of a Type 32 that is Showa dated. The Showa era Type 32's have the Tokyo Arsenal mark upside down compared to the Meiji and Taisho era Type 32's. See page 125 of Swords of Imperial Japan,1868-1945, 2007, for an illustration.