{"product_id":"japanese-type-38-arisaka-early-koishikawa-production-school-training-conversion-intact-mum-6-5-japan","title":"Japanese Type 38 Arisaka – Early Koishikawa Production – School\/Training Conversion – Intact Mum – 6.5 Japan","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eOffered here is a very early-production Japanese Type 38 Arisaka bolt-action rifle chambered in \u003cstrong\u003e6.5 Japanese (6.5×50mmSR Arisaka)\u003c\/strong\u003e. Based on its serial-number range and currently available production references, this rifle was likely manufactured \u003cstrong\u003ecirca 1907–1908\u003c\/strong\u003e, placing it among the early years of Type 38 production.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe distinctive \u003cstrong\u003ethree interlocking circles \/ stacked cannonballs arsenal mark\u003c\/strong\u003e identifies the rifle as a product of the \u003cstrong\u003eKoishikawa \/ Tokyo Arsenal\u003c\/strong\u003e. Originally manufactured as a standard military Type 38, this rifle was later removed from regular front-line military service, remarked, and converted for \u003cstrong\u003eschool\/educational training use\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis later history is reflected by several particularly interesting markings. The original \u003cstrong\u003eImperial Chrysanthemum (Mum) remains clearly visible\u003c\/strong\u003e on top of the receiver, together with additional characters associated with its later educational\/training use. A subsequently applied \u003cstrong\u003e“00” prefix\u003c\/strong\u003e is also present ahead of the original serial number. Such markings are associated with former military rifles removed from regular service and subsequently used within school, educational, or training systems. The “00” is not considered part of the rifle's original production serial number, so its production period is determined from the original serial-number range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImportantly, this rifle \u003cstrong\u003ewas not originally manufactured as a simplified training rifle\u003c\/strong\u003e. It began life as an early, standard military Type 38 and was only later converted for school\/training use. It therefore retains the construction and many of the distinctive features of an early military-production Type 38, together with the historical evidence of its later educational role.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rifle also underwent a \u003cstrong\u003eshort-barrel conversion\u003c\/strong\u003e. The barrel currently measures approximately \u003cstrong\u003e22 inches\u003c\/strong\u003e, with the forward stock correspondingly shortened, so the rifle is no longer in its original full-length Type 38 Infantry Rifle configuration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistorically, existing military Type 38 rifles were sometimes reworked, shortened, or otherwise modified within Japanese arsenal and training systems, while rifles transferred from regular military service to schools could undergo varying degrees of modification depending on their later use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConsidering the rifle's \u003cstrong\u003eschool\/educational markings, “00” marking, and the manner in which the barrel, fore-end, and front assembly have been altered\u003c\/strong\u003e, the shortened configuration appears consistent with a period school\/training-use modification or related rework rather than a typical modern sporting conversion. However, sufficient original documentation is not presently available to identify the exact facility or date responsible for this particular modification. Collectors interested in its precise history are encouraged to conduct further research based on the surviving markings and configuration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite its later modifications, the rifle retains numerous noteworthy early Type 38 features, including the distinctive \u003cstrong\u003eearly chrysanthemum-pattern safety knob\u003c\/strong\u003e, a Type 38-style \u003cstrong\u003ebolt dust cover\u003c\/strong\u003e, military ladder rear sight, complete magazine assembly, steel buttplate, and \u003cstrong\u003ecleaning rod\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bolt assembly is particularly noteworthy. Upon disassembly, the \u003cstrong\u003ebolt body and multiple visible bolt components were found bearing the same “366” assembly number\u003c\/strong\u003e, showing strong internal numbering consistency throughout the observed bolt components. The “366” is an early-style assembly number rather than the receiver's primary serial number; therefore, this rifle retains a \u003cstrong\u003ematching-numbered bolt assembly\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stock remains \u003cstrong\u003eclean and structurally stable\u003c\/strong\u003e, showing natural handling marks, dents, scratches, and some old carved marks consistent with its age and long service history. No obvious structural cracks were observed. The visible metal components likewise retain age-appropriate wear and natural patina, giving the rifle the honest appearance expected from a military arm more than a century old.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003ebore remains in quite good condition considering the rifle's age and later training conversion\u003c\/strong\u003e. Inspection shows clearly visible, well-defined rifling rather than a heavily worn or smooth bore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNote – Type 38 School \/ Training Rifles\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCollectors should distinguish between two fundamentally different categories of Japanese training rifles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first consists of \u003cstrong\u003egenuine military-production Type 38 rifles\u003c\/strong\u003e that originally entered service as standard military arms. As equipment was updated, or due to the rifle's condition, service classification, or other factors, some were removed from regular military service and subsequently remarked, reworked, or transferred to schools and other educational or training organizations. These rifles remained fundamentally genuine military Type 38s and generally retained proper military receivers, bolt and locking systems, and rifled barrels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe second category consists of \u003cstrong\u003epurpose-built drill or blank-firing training rifles\u003c\/strong\u003e. Although they may externally resemble the Type 38, they are not equivalent to standard military-production Type 38 rifles. Their materials, manufacturing quality, and internal construction can be substantially simplified. Some surviving examples feature \u003cstrong\u003esmoothbore barrels\u003c\/strong\u003e, simplified bolts or locking arrangements, and were intended only for their designated drill or blank-firing roles. Such rifles should not be treated as standard live-ammunition Type 38 military rifles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on the features that can presently be confirmed, \u003cstrong\u003ethis rifle clearly belongs to the first category\u003c\/strong\u003e. It began life as an early Koishikawa \/ Tokyo Arsenal military Type 38, manufactured circa \u003cstrong\u003e1907–1908\u003c\/strong\u003e, and was subsequently removed from regular military service and converted for school\/educational training use. It is not a simplified trainer manufactured from the outset solely as a blank-firing rifle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur inspection shows that the \u003cstrong\u003ebarrel retains clearly defined rifling, the bolt assembly remains complete, multiple bolt components retain the matching “366” assembly number, and the bolt and locking structure remain intact\u003c\/strong\u003e. These characteristics are consistent with a genuine military Type 38 subsequently repurposed for training use and clearly distinguish it from the simplified smoothbore or blank-only training rifles manufactured specifically for drill purposes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, the rifle's historical classification as a \u003cstrong\u003eSchool \/ Training Rifle\u003c\/strong\u003e, together with its presently observed mechanical condition, \u003cstrong\u003edoes not constitute a guarantee that a firearm more than a century old is currently safe to fire with live ammunition\u003c\/strong\u003e. The surviving markings alone also cannot establish exactly what type of training ammunition was historically used with this particular rifle. For safety, we strongly recommend that the barrel, chamber, bolt, locking surfaces, headspace, and overall mechanical condition be inspected again by a \u003cstrong\u003equalified gunsmith before any firing\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe exact history of individual Type 38 rifles transferred from regular military service into Japanese school and educational training systems can vary considerably in markings, rework, and configuration. Collectors interested in this example are encouraged to conduct additional research using its surviving \u003cstrong\u003eeducational markings, “00” prefix, Koishikawa arsenal marking, and other period features\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall, this is a particularly interesting early Type 38 featuring \u003cstrong\u003ecirca 1907–1908 Koishikawa \/ Tokyo Arsenal production, 6.5 Japanese chambering, a clearly visible Imperial Chrysanthemum, later educational markings and “00” prefix, approximately 22-inch shortened barrel, early chrysanthemum-pattern safety knob, dust cover, matching-numbered “366” bolt assembly, a stable stock with no obvious structural cracks, retained cleaning rod, and a bore with clearly defined rifling\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough no longer in its original full-length Infantry Rifle configuration, its \u003cstrong\u003egenuine early military Type 38 origins, surviving early-production features, and later school\/training history\u003c\/strong\u003e make it a distinctive example for the Japanese military rifle collector.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AAG CANADA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54272008388719,"sku":"NR000313","price":1350.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0642\/1836\/6063\/files\/IMG_9947.jpg?v=1789140614","url":"https:\/\/aagcanada.ca\/products\/japanese-type-38-arisaka-early-koishikawa-production-school-training-conversion-intact-mum-6-5-japan","provider":"AAG CANADA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}