POTD: Japanese Type 44 Cavalry Carbine – Bayonet That Never Leaves
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have a Japanese carbine with a bayonet that folds away under the barrel. This is a Arisaka Type 44 cavalry carbine in 6.5 Japanese, made at the Koishikawa arsenal in Tokyo sometime between 1911 and 1933.
The “44” is the 44th year of the Meiji era, 1911, when the carbine was designed by Arisaka Nariakira. Before it came along, a trooper was loaded down with a Type 32 saber and a Type 38 carbine, plus a bayonet on top of that. The Type 44 cut the clutter by building a needle-type bayonet right into the carbine. It folds back and locks under the barrel, and a checkered button under the sight has to stay pressed until the blade clicks into place up front. Folks love comparing it to the Mosin M44, but the Type 44 beat the Soviets to the folding bayonet by more than 30 years.
Collectors break them into three versions, mostly by the bayonet housing. Early guns have a small housing fixed right to the barrel, which shook enough to throw off accuracy. The later housings are bigger and stand clear of the barrel. Turn the knob near the top right of the buttstock and a little door opens to a two-piece cleaning rod stored in the butt.
About 91,900 were made, with Koishikawa, Kokura, and Nagoya all turning them out. The mum on this one was ground off, as it was on most Japanese rifles that came home. Thankfully the clever part, that folding bayonet, is still right where it belongs.
Most of our POTDs utilize images from our friends at Rock Island Auction Company, the premier firearms auction in the United States. Take some time to browse their current auctions – who knows, maybe you’ll find a piece of history to take home!
“Japanese Koishikawa Type 44 Arisaka Bolt Action Carbine.” Rock Island Auction, www.rockislandauction.com/detail/5034/143/japanese-koishikawa-type-44-arisaka-bolt-action-carbine. Accessed 29 Sept. 2026.
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