Original Chinese Korean War Era Rare Type 30 Bayonet and Scabbard by “Diamond 60” Gongxian Arsenal Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Now this is a rare Type 30 bayonet! While the appearance does look like a Pre WWII Japanese Type 30, this is actually a Chinese produced example. These Type 30s were made in the immediate post war era with this one having been made sometime in 1950, during the Korean War. The <60> Diamond 60 marking on the ricasso is for the Gongxian Arsenal in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, the “60th” arsenal.

The hilt has a contoured crossguard with a hooked quillon, and contoured screw retained grips. The pommel is a contoured bird’s head, and the blade is fullered bright steel. The serial number on the crossguard reads as 288.

Overall condition is very good, but definitely shows wear from service and use. It looks like the bayonet was exposed to the elements, but nothing too damaging. The scabbard also shows past oxidation, now removed and painted to protect it.

A very nice service used example of a rare Chinese bayonet. Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 15 1/2″
Blade Style: Single Edge Bayonet
Overall length: 19 7/8“
Crossguard: 3 3/4”
Scabbard Length: 16 3/4″

In 1914, Yuan Shikai, then President of the Republic of China, personally planned the Gongxian Arsenal. At that time, the purpose was to increase the military strength of the Beiyang Army and unify the weapons manufacturing industry. Due to its advantageous geographical location and abundant resources such as coal, bauxite and clay, the Ordnance Industry Supervision Office in Beijing decided in 1915 to build a large military factory mainly producing ammunition and guns. Arsenal construction was supervised by Admiral Sa Zhenbing, assisted by military engineers from Germany, Denmark and other countries; manufacturing machines were ordered from a military factory in Connecticut, and a 10-km long and 20-meter deep “air-raid shelter” was built to protect personnel. In 1919 (the eighth year of the Republic of China), it was officially put into production and became one of the four largest arsenals in China at that time. Later, with the death of Yuan Shikai, the Gongxian Arsenal became the focus of competition among the warlords.

In 1930, after the Central Plains War, the Northern Expeditionary Army under Chiang Kai-Shek occupied Gongxian County, and the arsenal was place under the management of the National Government. In 1938, the Gongxian Arsenal was bombed by Japanese aircraft; the fifth factory for rifles was in ruins and production was suspended. After the start of the Battle of Zaoyi in May 1940, Zhang Zizhong, commander-in-chief of the 33rd Group Army and commander-in-chief of the Right-wing Corps of the Fifth Theater, was killed in action, and on June 12 the Japanese army occupied Yichang. The Gongxian Arsenal was ordered to relocate to Chongqing. Due to the occupation of Yichang by the Japanese army, the Gongxian Arsenal could not be completely removed. In 1948, some of the factories remaining in Chenxi were ordered to move to Dongjiayuan, Zhuzhou, Hunan to prepare for the construction of a new factory. With the second civil war military defeat, on May 19, 1949, more than 2,000 employees moved to the Hainan Yulin plant. In March 1950, the Yulin factory moved to Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and merged into the 60th arsenal.