Manufacturer: Nagoya Army Arsenal, Japan
Model: Arisaka Type 38
Caliber: 6.5×50mm Japanese
Action: Bolt-Action
Serial Number: 58***
Country of Origin: Japan
1. Historical Background & Collectibility
The Japanese Arisaka Type 38 was officially adopted in 1905 and served as one of the principal service rifles of the Imperial Japanese Army throughout the first half of the 20th century, including World War II.
The Type 38 is well known for its strong and reliable bolt-action mechanism, excellent manufacturing quality, and distinctive Japanese military design.
This example was manufactured by Nagoya Arsenal and features several characteristics associated with later-production Type 38 rifles, while retaining its original full-length military configuration.
The receiver retains a complete and clearly visible Imperial Chrysanthemum (Mum), an important historical feature highly appreciated by collectors of Japanese military firearms.
2. Matching Numbers
The receiver and bayonet lug have matching numbers. The bolt body and safety knob also match each other, but the bolt assembly does not match the receiver.
3. Later Military Features
This rifle retains several interesting military features:
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Aperture Rear Sight: Unlike the more commonly encountered V-notch rear sight, this example features a distinctive upright post with a circular aperture. This is a historically documented military sight design used on Type 38 rifles. The folding ladder sight is complete, with graduations extending to 2,400 metres.
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Cup-Style Steel Buttplate: A substantial steel buttplate with rounded edges wrapping around the end of the wooden stock, a configuration found on later Type 38 rifles.
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Dust Cover: Retains the traditional military bolt dust cover.
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Full Military Configuration: Retains its original-style full-length wooden stock, handguard, barrel bands, and military iron sights.
4. Stock Markings & Overall Condition
The buttstock retains a distinctive white-painted number “19,” possibly an old military rack number or inventory marking. Its exact origin remains unknown.
The wooden stock is exceptionally clean and solid, with no signs of refinishing. It retains normal military service wear, particularly noticeable along the underside of the stock. The wood remains in very good overall condition, displaying an attractive natural aged appearance.
The metal components are in excellent overall condition, retaining an attractive natural patina consistent with their age.
The mechanical action functions smoothly and reliably, with smooth bolt operation.
The bore is in very good condition, with clearly defined rifling.
Considering the condition of the wood, metal, mechanical components, and bore, this rifle represents a particularly well-preserved example among surviving Japanese Type 38 military rifles.
5. Collector's Highlights
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Nagoya Arsenal production with later military configuration features.
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Complete and clearly visible Imperial Chrysanthemum.
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Matching receiver and bayonet lug.
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Matching bolt body and safety knob.
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Distinctive aperture-style rear sight with 2,400-metre graduations.
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Substantial cup-style steel buttplate.
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Original-style military dust cover.
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White-painted “19” identification marking on the buttstock.
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Exceptionally clean and solid wooden stock with no signs of refinishing.
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Excellent overall metal condition and smooth mechanical operation.
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Very good bore with clearly defined rifling.
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Complete traditional full-length military configuration with natural service wear.
Overall, this is a particularly well-preserved Japanese Arisaka Type 38 rifle retaining its full military configuration and several distinctive later-production features. The intact Imperial Chrysanthemum, unusual aperture rear sight, substantial cup-style buttplate, and excellent overall condition make it a highly attractive example for collectors of Japanese World War II military firearms.
