1156

VERY RARE WW2 JAPANESE TYPE 1 ARISAKA PARATROOPER

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,250.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,500.00 USD
VERY RARE WW2 JAPANESE TYPE 1 ARISAKA PARATROOPER
CARBINE. Cal. 6.5 Jap. S# 4690. Bbl. 19". This very rare Japanese carbine was developed in 1941, about the time the Japanese paratrooper program took off. The carbine was referred to as the Test Type 1 rifle by the Japanese military. It is estimated that only 200-300 of these carbines were produced. They were made using existing Nagoya Type 38 Carbines from the 4th & 5th series. Most known carbines are from the 5th series & fall within the 4094-5217 serial range. The Test Type I carbines were ultimately dropped in favor of the 7.7 Type 2 parartooper rifles. Matching numbers on bolt handle, safety, floorplate, bayonet lug & dust cover. Extractor & brightly finished firing pin are unnumbered. Receiver top has fully intact mum & Type 38 markings. Left side of receiver has serial, fifth series & Nagoya markings. Ladder rear sight graduated to 2000m. Blade front sight w/ protective ears. Right sight ear is a bit bent. Asian hardwood stock w/ hinge folding mechanism on both sides of wrist & left side sling swivels. The forward wing nut on the left side of folding mechanism is missing. Bottom of butt has two Kanji markings. Cleaning rod present. CONDITION: stock set has arsenal finish w/ some chipping, scattered dings & handling wear. Folding mechanism shows scattered flaking black enamel. Buttplate is a dull gray oxidized patina. Balance of metal retains 40% original blue w/ a spot of touch up blue at rear right of receiver, some pitting on bbl. & front band, further pitting on dust cover, scattered oxidation & overall fading to brown. Very good bore. PROVENANCE: From the estate collection of Thomas J. Mulligan. (23-1184/MJC). CURIO. $2500-3500.