we moved my wife's grandparents out of their long time residence over the weekend, only owners of the home (50+ years) and came across some interesting finds.

One such item is a Japanese Type 30 Bayonet (hooked crossguard) with sheath/scabbard. As best as the grandfather could recall, it was the grandmother's uncle or great uncle that brought it back from combat...WW1 or 2. Still has a mostly readable serial number and there is some slight oxidation on the blade.

my questions:

1. how can I best clean this up? I'd like to keep it and keep passing it down myself.

2. the intertrons say there were more than 8,000,000 produced...just how cool is it to be owning one of these

3. should I find a way to acquire the rifle that should go with it?

Depending on what you want to do with it, you can treat it in different ways. Conventional use some CLP and soft bristle brush on the oxidation.

You can also use"Renaissance Wax" to seal the metal and said down further oxidation.

There should be some proof marks that will tell you roughly where and when it was made.

And yes you should find a rifle to show it off with!

I have several. They are pretty neat converational pieces. You need a nice Arisaka 38 or 99 to go with it. Much more interesting converational piece if together. You can get them for under $500.