Type 38 (Model 1905) Japanese Infantry Rifle….(F 902) Sold

Type 38th Meiji Year Infantry Rifle in 6.5mm

Fine condition Type 38 Japanese Infantry Rifle in 6.5 x 50R 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 outside surround is covered in longitudinal serrations which also help in the same way.  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 9 o’clock.  When pressure is applied with the open palm, and the cap turned clockwise to the 10 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.  The action has the longitudinal rails to take a dust cover (AF)  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; ” 23rd (mu) series mark / 78318  / Kokura Arsenal mark / two other indistinguishable marks.”  The top of the receiver has the remains of 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 considered “matching” as it has the last three numbers of the serial number 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” guarded by  protective “ears”.  The whole rifle being in fine condition with strong clean 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.  The weakest finish is the trigger guard and magazine floorplate which is still not unpleasant to view.  The balance of the blueing upon the rifle is really of a very high standard, you can definitely distinguish between war-time finish and the likes of this rifle, which was completed when the Japanese arsenals were under less pressure.  The blue is a superb high quality which has lasted the test of time.

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

Stock No’ F 902

£  825. (Sold)

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