Type 2 Arisaka Take-down Arisaka Rifle…… (F 1250)

Arisaka Type 2 Take-down Para’s Rifle

If you are wondering where this weapon sits in the chronology of the Arisaka line it appeared as a developement of the Type 99 short rifle.  In western terms around 1942 and was know as the Type Two.  Very similar to the Type 99 rifle in the same 7.7mm caliber with an internal magazine of 5 rounds.  The rifle could easily be assembled or broken down and worked on the principle of the interrupted thread with a wedge which tightened the two halfs up, but it was not really a success.  Visually it is very similar to the Type 99 but of course the difference is the joint in the middle.

Due to the history and the absolute carnage of the main mission they were used in, plus the fact that not very many were originally made; these are a rare animal. So, whatever the reason or rational behind your collecting process this is an interesting thing.  Today we see many take-down sporting rifles made by many of the high end manufacturers, but the difference here is that they weren’t aiming for any market Cudos. They were trying to develope a usable, safe but rugged weapon that could be rapidly assembled once one had been reunited with terra-firma.  Essentially they did, but can you imagine after surviving your fall to earth and landing, once you had at least detached yourself from the cumbersom tangled parachute equipement, your next challenge was to put together a bolt-action rifle, most probably under fire, load it and return fire, without getting killed in the process.  In effect its almost as mad in terms of practicality, as the anti-aircraft sights fitted to the standard Type 99 ! Anyway, they did produce this thing and a small number were eventually built.  The other fact worth noting concerning the Paratrooper’s rifle is by this time in the war the quality of materials fast fast slipping away and caution should be exercised if one was planning to actually shoot such a weapon.

Overall length assemble 44″  The barrel is 24″ long.  Trigger Pull to center is 12.1/2″. Take it appart and you have the front section with barrel at approximately 24″ and the rear at 20″  Conventional two-piece stock with semi pistol grip and cupped steel butt plate.  Handguard over barrel.  Normal rounded safety and straight arm Mauser-type bolt system.  very basic straight arm bolt with crude last-ditch bolt knob.  Sliding dust cover in position.  Bolt with different number to action (possibly surrendered).  Standard bolt release catch to rear LHS of action.  Outer action wall with serial number “8192” and arsenal mark for Nagoya.

It is IMPORTANT TO NOTE here, on dissassembly, the rifle has on the underside of the barrel, the last three digits of the serial number which is on the outer wall of the action.  ALSO; these numbers are in the same font.  Then look at the steel work either side of the joint and they all have another number stamped upon them, but it matches a number stamped on the LHS of the barrel; “875”  It is my theory that this is all original – so the two halves were always together.  Ok the bolt doesn’t match, but that means it was a battlefield surrender.  Correct tall ladder sights which are only graduated from 3 to 15.

Short finger grooves to the front of the split.  Side mounted sling swivels.  Cleaning rod stored under barrel.  Guarded front sight.  Unfortunatly the action has been rather crudely gripped in a vice and shows the wounds.  The Imperial Chrysanthemum is ground off and only a small part of the other markings are visiable.  Some careful restoration of this part could be undertaken.  Single gass escape hole.  Drainage hole in front end.

The bore is very good but that is not surprising as they were hardly ever used.  This is a very rare varriant of rifle and should hold a place in any military fairearms collection.

UK, CIP proofed.

FAC Required  –  Stock No’ F 1250

£ 3750.

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