Very Good Japanese Arisaka Model 38 Rifle

This is a superb Type 38 Arisaka Rifle in 6.5mm calibre. Originally designed in 1905 by Captain Kijiro Nambu (of later handgun fame) this was the mainstay of the Imperial Japanese Army and one of the strongest military bolt action rifles adopted by a major country. It features a modified Mauser action and chromed barrel with a rear sight calibrated to 2400 metres. Captain, later General Nambu, reduced the Mauser action to components that were extremely reliable, functional and cost effective. The authors of Japanese Military Rifles consider this rifle to be his most significant contribution to Japanese ordnance.
This particular rifle is in excellent condition and was a battlefield pickup from a fallen Japanese soldier because the royal Chrysanthemum is still intact. When the war ended it was agreed that the symbol could be ground off to save face by not allowing the surrendered weapons with the royal symbol to be handled by foreigners. This was done mechanically or electrically and all traces of the Chrysanthemum were removed.
The rifle was made in the Koishikawa (Tokyo) Arsenal later renamed the Kokura Arsenal. It is complete with the correct cleaning rod and an unusually good stock as these were hard used and not given up easily. This is an early rifle as identified by the serial number, inverted “V” foresight without guards and the extended tang projection on the Chrysanthemum rear bolt safety cover.
There is every possibility that this rifle was used in the second Sino-Japanese war when Japan invaded China but it originated in the USA where it was brought back from the Pacific theatre.
The rifle is an outstanding example and has a good shooting bore and was recently proofed (November 2013). It would be difficult to find a better example.

Code: 50218