Japanese Type 38 Carbine………………….(f 703) SOLD

Interesting and complete Japanese Type 38 Carbine

An interesting and rare example of Japanese long arms.  The Type 38 Carbine in 6.5 x 50mm.  A robust Mauser type action with straight arm bolt.  The rifle cocks on closing and has a five round internal magazine.  In a departure from convention the Japanese decided to redesign the flag safety and went instead, for a circular, domed end cap.  Around the outer radius for the cap there is a single noticeable indent or notch, this is the indicator.  At the ten o’clock position the rifle is able to fire.  When the open palm is pressed against it and then rotates the indent to the twelve o’clock position, the rifle becomes safe and will not fire.  The thinking was that it was an easier way to operate the safety in the wet sticky jungles of the east.  It actually seems to work quite efficiently.

This Type 38 Carbine measures exactly 38″ in overall length.  The round blued barrel is 19″ long and the trigger pull is 13.1/8″ to the centre.  The rifle is stocked in a finger grooved stock which shows all the dings and dents of a besieged army in retreat.  There are short finger groves behind the mid-band and a forward hand-guard over the barrel.  The butt-stock has been produced by dove-tailing two pieces of timber together and is fitted with a steel butt-plate and side mounted sling swivel.  One very noticeable feature of the stock is about half-way along on the RHS of the action.  Just below the receiver ring is a purposely machined gulley in the side of the stock.  This is not a crude attempt to cover a fault or some damage, rather, it is a water run-off gulley, specifically designed to aid the run-off of excess water which might be experienced in the jungles around the pacific.

The mid point barrel band is held in position by springs on both sides of the fore-end.  The fore-end nose-cap incorporates a hole for the cleaning rod and on the underside, the bayonet mounting stud. Cleaning rod in position.  The stud is correctly marked “894.”  The trigger guard and lower frame incorporate the magazine floor plate.  If required, the magazine can be dumped by means of the tipping catch, within the trigger guard and all remaining unused rounds in the magazine will fall out.  The rear sights are the correct carbine type; graduations start at 500 and finish at 2000.  The front sight consists of a block with protective ears and an inverted “V”.

The bolt has a long straight handle with ovoid bolt knob.  On the underside of the bolt stub for the handle are the last three numbers of the serial number “028”  The receiver is marked with the non-defaced Chrysanthemum of the Imperial Japanese Emperor.  Beneath the Chrysanthemum are two gas escape holes and below them, the Japanese characters for the  model designation; “Type 38”.  The action side-wall has the serial number “4894” and the manufacturers marks.  This Type 38 was produced at Nagoya.  Series and inspection marks also present.  The action also still retains a bolt cover which has the last three digits of the serial number impressed on the end meaning that this is original to the rifle.

An excellent and rare Type 38 Arisaka Carbine with a good bore and a smooth action.  British proofs recently applied.

Stock No’ f 703

£ 930.  SOLD

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