~ 1945 Dated WW2 Japanese Arisaka Type 38 Bolt Action Rifle Deactivated ~
This is an example of a late war production piece. The workmanship of it is crude, the anti-aircraft rear sight was replaced with a standard one and some of the numbers are partially visible due to bad stamping, the cleaning rod is missing (most of the ones made in 1945 never received one), it wasn’t stamped with a chrisantema and its dust cover is missing too (same thing, the dust cover was removed due to metal shortage).
A careful eye will also notice the poor quality of the metalwork, thinner links for the sling, the rough edges of the rear sight frame, nails used instead of screws and a non adjustable front sight.
Its poor quality wooden stock was never properly varnished and the metalwork was superficially blued.
Its only stamp is on top of the chamber, a factory serial number.
On deactivation the rifle was designated with the serial number ‘201098’.
The rifle can be cocked, dry fired and the bolt can be removed.
~ Dimensions ~
The barrel length is 31 inches (78.74 cm) and the overall length of the rifle is 50 inches (127 cm).
It weighs 3.8 Kg.
~ Condition ~
As seen in the pictures, the rifle is very well preserved considering its workmanship.
The metalwork developed surface rust and the stock has few chips, but is free of cracks. As part of the deactivation process, two holes were drilled forward of the breech.
ref. PQFD0
