Type 66 Siamese Arisaka Rifle …….(F 1246)

Full Length Infantry Siamese Arisaka Rifle

This is an opportunity for the Arisaka or Imperial Japanese Rifle collector to pick up a fairly rare beast in good shoot-able condition.  The rifle offered here is the full length rifle known as the “Type 66″  in 8mm x 52 Mauser.  The rifle is 49″ in overall length from muzzle to centre of butt.  The round blued barrel is  30.1/4” long.  This rifle has one of the Arisaka type double piece stocks which shows a Siamese cartouche below the semi-pistol grip.  The fore-end has the thin finger groves and a steel buttplate. Originally produced as an 8mm from the begining of its service as the sights have not been altered and are the correct fitment for the 8mm.

These were built in Japanese arms factory as the German Factories were too busy to accommodate the orders. The rifle is fitted with a full length walnut stock and half length hand-guard. The hand-guard surrounds the rear sights completely and there are two sling swivels. the astute will notice that the sliding dust cover does not have the fitment of the side hook which helps manually move the dust cover.  This is correct as this rifle is one of the examples built in the Japanese arsenals, but it is not any old Arisaka cover that has been slid on here, it is the correct one marked with Siamese numerical markings on the rear folded face.

Standard Arisaka bolt system with straight handle and rear Mushroom head safety. Blueing most strong on the action, partly helped by the protective sliding cover.  This protects the action from grit, dirt and copious amounts of water.  It is a plain blued half-moon cover which slides forward and backward over the action with the bolt.  Once loaded this cover can remain in the closed position until a case needs to be ejected, then, it will open with the bolt. Sliding tangent rear sight – all graduations in Siamese.

The chamber is clearly marked with a roundel; the Siamese crest known as the “Charkra” and characters underneath.  The serial number is marked upon the LHS outer action wall – in Siamese.  On the underside of the rifle is the floor-plate and trigger guard with a  “quick release” catch at the front of the trigger guard.  This is a particularly good example of its mark with cleaning rod in position under barrel.  The rifle benifits from strong blues and little apparent high edge wear.  There is no major damage to the stock apart from the usual signs of a military life.  The bore is very good with deep rifling, bright lands and dark grooves.  A rare and unusual piece of military history.  A keeper and a shooter…..   shoot something a little different…

Stock No F 1246  –  FAC required

£ 750.

Correct Type 66 Siamese Bayonet

Knife bayonet with hooked quillion and single edge & square back.  Wooden grips with twin rivets.  Steel scabbard. Birds head pommel. Single fuller on each side.  OAL 16.7/8″11.1/” blade.  “107” painted in white on flat edge of grip.  Fits Type 66 Siamese rifle but rather slopy. Good condition.

£ 150.

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