Japanese Arisaka Type 38 Rifle……….(F897) Sold

Type 38 Arisaka Rifle

Fine condition Type 38 Japanese Infantry Rifle in 6.5 x 51R with Mauser type action and straight bolt handle.  The main difference between a regular Mauser and these rifles is the easily distinguishable mushroom headed safety on the rear of the bolt.  It is a rounded steel cover with pointer on its outside edge.  The rearward facing cover of the safety has an elaborate machined concentric pattern which aids grip in wet conditions.  The pointer indicates whether the rifle is in “Safe” or “Ready” to fire condition.  The normal position is in a fireable condition, where the pointer rests at 10 o’clock.  When pressure is applied with the open palm, and the cap turned clockwise to the 12 o’clock position, the rifle is locked into “safe.”  It was an ingenious idea particularly well suited to very wet jungle conditions.

Otherwise it is an extremely strong Mauser type action with a split bridge and a straight armed bolt handle.  On the end of the handle is an ovoid bolt knob.  The bolt is finished in the white, and the action is finely blued although starting to fade evenly.  The action has the longitudinal rails to take a dust cover and dust cover intact.   It is believed that these were commonly thrown away by soldiers as the amount of noise they produced in the jungle could cost you your life!  Their original purpose was to protect the rifle from the ingress of dirt, grit and water.  The outer wall of the action carries a serial number and makers marks.  It reads from the front; “2024950  / Kokura Arsenal mark / indistinguishable / series mark for 29th series.”  The top of the receiver has a ground out Chrysanthemum / Type 38 markings.  Twin gas escape holes on top of receiver.  Guide for charger clip loading on front of rear action bridge.  The bolt is non-matching” as it has “2 1” stamped on the underside of the bolt stub.

Open “V” rear sight with ladder flip-up sight graduated from 500 to 2400 meters.  Finger grooved stock with two piece butt and hand guard over barrel.  Mid band retained with spring clip and has forward sling swivel on the underside.  Rear sling swivel mounted on underside of butt behind semi-pistol grip.  Steel butt-plate, steel trigger guard and drop down magazine floorplate to empty magazine.  Front 16″ of barrel exposed with excellent bluing.  Nose cap incorporates bayonet lug and takes full length cleaning rod stowed under barrel.  Front sight, inverted “V” on a block.  The whole rifle being in fine condition with strong 4-grove bore.  The normal signs of a military life in the surface of the timber but the bluing very strong over most of the rifle.  Interesting scorch marks on the underside of the butt close to the rear sling swivel.  The finish and degree of fading to the blueing over the rifle is evenly fading on the fittings but was of a very high standard overall. One can definitely distinguish between pre-wartime finish and that of later rifles.  This Type 38 shows the evidence it was completed when the Japanese arsenals were under less pressure.  The blue, where it has lasted is of a higher quality and has lasted the test of time.

A fine collectible classic from the Axis forces to enter any collection and shoot-able! with new CIP proofs for 2020.

Stock No’ F 897

£ 895.  (Sold)

Comments Off on Japanese Arisaka Type 38 Rifle……….(F897) Sold