In excellent all matching INCLUDING THE DUST COVER! condition, we have prime example of a mid 1930’s production 22nd series Kokura Arsenal Arisaka Type 38 6.5mm Service Rifle. The bore is excellent and this rifle is all matching and shows rework markings as is common with these early rifles. Adding about $250 to the value of this rifle is the excellent & scarce brass muzzle cover that is still on the rifle!
The Type 38 was the primary Japanese Infantry rifle from 1905 through at least 1942 when it was slowly began to be superseded by the new service rifle, the Type 99 7.7m/m Rifle. While we think of the Type 99 as THE Japanese Infantry Rifle of WW2, It did not reach the troops in any significant quantity until mid 1942. The early war years with all those runaway victories were won with a bayonet at the end of a Type 38 Long Rifle.
The Type 38 Rifle stayed in front line service throughout the entire Second World War. Indeed many veteran old line Army units refused to give it up for the Type 99, it was held in such high regard. This is a very tough rifle to get in any kind of high condition, when we see mint ones the Imperial Crest is almost always defaced and most of the Rifles found with the Mum intact have seen a lot of hard combat use. You may well imagine how pleased we were to find this fine example that still has the original matching numbered dust cover, the sling and still has the crest. If you are looking for a superior example of this legendary Japanese WW2 Rifle this is what you are looking for.
