Thank you, I will do that.
That explains why my Google search results included links written in Japanese! I thought it strange but never considered it would be of that origin because we are not Japanese. My father never mentioned even having the bayonette. No other family is alive to tell the story behind it either. Thank you for your reply
Yes it should be a spring-loaded press stud that activates a latching mechanism inside the pommel. It’s function is to unlock the bayonet so it can be removed from the rifle. If it is not a moving mechanism, but only a solid lump of metal, it means that the pommel was made to be used on a bayonet but was diverted for use on a pole bayonet, which were meant to be issued to civilians for a suicidal last stand.
WOW!! What a FIND!!
Where bouts in Arkansas you from? A lot of Arkies served in the Pacific in WWII. Know if your Dad was there? A large Japanese-American relocation camp was located about 20 miles from my home,I doubt that Jap bayonets were popular items there,but a returning GI assigned as a guard might have brought one.Not to mention these and other WWII bayonets were sold by the thousands in the proliferation of Army surplus stores that sprang up following WWII.Could have been given to your Dad by someone too. No telling how many of these things are hiding in attics and garages,on old barn shelves and the like,waiting to be discovered.Sadly,many get tossed into the trash and end up in some landfill.Too bad there,s not a society for the rescue of old militaria.Hope you find the story on yours,if you do be sure to let us know.Fellow Arkie.
We moved to north central Arkansas years ago when I was a kid. The bayonet may have moved with us and dad stored it away OR he acquired it somewhere along the way. He was fond of the m1 rifle and had bought three. I only knew of one but after he died I found the other two. Perhaps he obtained the bayonet from part of one of the gun purchases, idk? I havent had the time to see if it would fit one of them but I suspect not with it being japanese.. Dad was from northern Mississippi and put in the required 4 years in the Army but did not serve during any wartime. I want to say his father may have served in ww1 or 2 but not only did I never meet my grandfather, he died back in the late fifties and our family have been poor historians. It is possible that I can glean some info from a box of various documents I recall seeing in his basement. Mom is still living but she knew nothing about it either. Right now, I'm guessing my grandfather is the link. I will update if I find out any new info.
Thank you,look forward to hearing what you may find out.
