Thai Police Type 91 Carbine……………………….. (F 1275)
Created on June 18th 2026
Post War Type 91 Thailand Police Carbine
Basic physics really; To the Victor Go the Spoils….. This interesting Arisaka Carbine started life as a Type 38 Japanese Arisaka. One of many that were re-worked after the hositilities had subsided and order was slowly restored as the world rebuilt itself. The Royal Thailand Police needed arms and the Japanese Arisaka with its reputation for sturdiness suited the role. There were literally physical tonnes of these captured weapons lying around which had to either be destroyed or reused.
Quite clearly the Thai Police rather admired the American M1 Carbine, but needs must when the devils at the door and it was obviously a more financially prudent approach would be to use the bolt action rifles on hand. Still chambered in the Japanese 6.5 x 50mm round with an internal stagered magazine of 5 rounds. The sturdy Mauser-type action of the Arisaka with its mushroom type safety device had served well in the conditions of the region. The rifle has been reworked by removal of the original Imperial Japanese Chrysanthemum and fresh markings applied. The crest is marked with “Thai markings / crest of the Royal Thai Police / Thai markings” possibly “48 3”? The twin gas escape holes remain. The original superbly nitra-blued magazine follower is still in position.
The outer action wall markings remain on the LHS and show; “25th series / 23587 / Kokura -Tokyo.” The carbine still retains the full length rifle sights but is obviously shortened to carbine dimensions. Overall, the weapon is a nominal 36″ in length. The barrel is 16.3/4″ long. The trigger pull to center is 13″. The alterations to the stock are destinctly M1 Carbine-esque’ right down to the slot cut through the butt-stock with canvass sling and oil bottle that retains the sling within the slot. Finger grooves are almost gone from reprofiling and it has a short handguard infront of the rear sight retained with a barrel band . This barrel band has a later addition of a side mounted sling mounting loop.
Non-original bolt with straight bolt handle numbered, “066” with matching steel dust cover. The original guarded front sight has been remounted on the shortened barrel. Steel butt-plate and laquered finish (which has shows the dents of a rough life) Altogether, an interesting and quite rare variant, of the Arisaka rifle. If one has an Arisaka collection then this goes in the “Was there Life after the Pacific Campaign ?” section. The bore is in reasonable condition with fairly strong copper fouling and worn rifling – as expected.
Stock No’ F 1275 – FAC required
£ 595.
Comments Off on Thai Police Type 91 Carbine……………………….. (F 1275)