This hole (or series of holes) serves to ensure that gas vents in a safe direction in the event of a failure. Most variants of the Arisaka rifle have at least one hole on the top of the receiver. Later production substitute standard rifles also had a non-adjustable rear sight and wooden buttplate, and some even replaced the sling with a simple rope passed through a hole in the stock and tied around the barrel (commonly called "rope hole" rifles). These late war rifles were known as substitute standard rifles (commonly called "last ditch" rifles) and were very crudely manufactured with most missing the accessories of the earlier models. As the war went on the quality had dropped. The early models of the Type 99 long (discontinued after less than 40,000 were made) and standard rifles contained a folding wire monopod, flip up 1,500 meter calibrated ladder sights with fold-down sidebars for leading aircraft, with the hinge of the bar 100 knots, center notch 200 knots, and edge of the bar 300 knots (perhaps the most over-optimistic sight fitted to a smallarm since the 1,000-meter calibrated sights of the Mauser C96), chrome plated bores, and a dust cover.
The Type 38 was chambered in 6.5x50mmSR, while the Type 99 was chambered in 7.7x58mm. Of all these rifles, the Type 38 long rifle and Type 99 standard (or short) rifles were the most common, and were the rifle most likely to be encountered during the war in the Pacific. There are five major variants - the Type 30, 35, 38, 44, and the 99. The First Model of the Arisaka Rifle was designed by Colonel Nariakira Arisaka in 1897. ©Copyright 2002-2004.The Arisaka Rifle was the official service bolt action rifle for the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces from 1897 to 1945.
Frequently there is a Series designator in a circle preceeding the serial number on the left side of the action.ĬASTLE-THUNDER.COM - Back to Home Page Some graphics courtesy Hipp'os-sible Productions® The Arsenal mark on Japanese rifles is generally found to the right of the serial number on the left side of the receiver. The serial number is found on the left side of the receiver on most standard rifles. The Model/Type markings are generally found on the top of the receiver, forward (towards to muzzle) of the chamber and generally indicate original caliber unless modified by another country at a later date. Receiver Markings of the 7.7 Caliber guns are below.ħ.7 Caliber Japanese Rifle Receiver Markings These rifles include: The Type 99 Long Rifle, the Type 99 Short Rifle, the Type 99 Carbine, the Type 99 Naval Special, the Type 100 Paratroop Rifle, and the Type 2 Paratroop Rifle. It was a redesign of the Type 38 in a larger caliber, 7.7 Japanese. In the late 1930's the Japanese developed a rifle to compete in 'Modern Warfare'. These rifles include: The Type 30 Long Rifle and Carbine, the Type 35 Rifle, the Type 38 Long Rifle, Short Rifle, and Carbine, the Type 44 Carbine, the Type 97 Sniper Rifle, and the Italian Type I Long Rifle.Ħ.5 Caliber Japanese Rifle Receiver Markingsįound in Long Rifle and Carbine configurationsģ Variations Identified by Bayonet Housings Below are the markings on rifles in 6.5 Japanese Caliber manufactured from 1897 until the mid 1940's. Modern Japanese rifles were produced in various configurations and calibers at several Arsenals located thoughout Japan, China, and Korea from about 1897 through 1945. : Japanese Arisaka Rifle Identification Japanese Rifle IdentificationĬASTLE-THUNDER.COM Rifles - Back to Main Page Receiver Markings Japanese Rifles 1897-1945