[AZ]

I inherited this from my grandpa, story is he "acquired" it from a Japanese soldier during the Battle of Tarawa.

http://s1187.photobucket.com/albums/z393/Jim_from_AZ/

I wasn't able to get a good picture of the markings on the blade, of which there are two. One is a circle with two circles inside it stacked like a snowman. The other is a diamond with a house looking symbol (kind of like this <[[] only pointing upwards).

Any help in identifying it would be greatly appreciated, if not could someone point me towards a forum more specific to this kind of thing. Thanks.

[dayhiker]

This will help with the factory that made it.

http://www.gunboards.com/sites/banzai/Bayonets/BayManLogos.htm#Top_BayManuf_Logos

and an overview of Japanese bayonets can be found here. Select "by country" and then select Japan.

http://www.old-smithy.info/

[rcmodel]

Looks like a typical WWII Japanese Arisaka rifle bayonet all right.

Here is a marking breakdown.
You should be able to decipher it from there.

http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/japanese_markings.html

rc

[AZ]

Thanks, found what I was looking for

[Ohio Gun Guy]

If you have not already, look up his unit and keep as much history with it as possible. That thing didnt come cheap, dont sell it for the 60-100 +/- it would bring!

They called it "Terrible Tarawa" for a reason.

[AZ]

I know a bit of the history and his history. I even know how he acquired it. And trust me, I wouldn't sell it for a million.

He was in the 2nd Marine Division.