Offered here is an original Japanese Type 38 Arisaka service rifle chambered in the historic 6.5×50mmSR Arisaka cartridge. Renowned for its exceptional strength, reliability, and accuracy, the Type 38 served as the standard infantry rifle of the Imperial Japanese Army from the Russo-Japanese War through the Second World War.
This example was manufactured by the Koishikawa (Tokyo) Artillery Arsenal, identifiable by its no-series serial number (1498530) and the distinctive stacked cannonball arsenal mark found on the left side of the receiver.
The rifle retains a highly desirable honest military appearance, exhibiting decades of natural service wear while showing no obvious signs of major refinishing or heavy restoration. The stock displays genuine handling marks and field wear accumulated throughout its military service, yet remains structurally solid with no significant cracks or major repairs observed.
The metal finish retains a naturally aged military patina consistent with long-term service, preserving the rifle's historical character rather than the appearance of an aggressively refinished example. The bore remains strong with well-defined rifling, and the action cycles smoothly. The original military ladder rear sight and full-length military configuration are retained.
The rifle is not equipped with a dust cover. As commonly encountered on many surviving Type 38 Arisaka rifles, this component was frequently removed during military service. Collectors wishing to restore the rifle to a more complete configuration will find original dust covers to be relatively obtainable on today's collector market.
Overall, this is an excellent example of a Koishikawa Tokyo Arsenal Type 38 Arisaka that has retained much of its original military character, making it a desirable addition to any Japanese military firearms collection.
