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Military Rifle - Japanese?

Andrew hallAndrew hall Member Posts: 93 ✭✭
edited November 2007 in Ask the Experts
Experts, I'm stumped. I wish my camera were better so I could show you fine detail, but here's what I know:

Barrel is approx 32 1/2", the receiver bolt is broken at the rear, the right side of the stock has a symbol on it which is circular and has illegible markings within it (probably a cartouche). There is also a symbol, which may be a Chrysanthemum, on the top of the barrel block.

There is a great deal of type on the barrel that appears to be Japanese (or possibly Korean). There are also English numbers stamped on the left side of the barrel (106144) and behind the trigger guard (???90). There are two bands on the stock, the front one having a place for a bayonet on the right side. This rifle is missing a cleaning rod.

Thoughts?
rifle9.jpg
rifle3.jpg
rifle4.jpg
rifle7.jpg

Comments

  • Spider7115Spider7115 Member Posts: 29,704 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hi again, Andrew! Go to this website and compare markings:

    http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/japanese_markings.html

    I hope you're bookmarking all of these great websites!
  • The DutchmanThe Dutchman Member Posts: 811 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Looks like a Meiji 30 year rifle.

    quote:Originally posted by Andrew hall
    Experts, I'm stumped. I wish my camera were better so I could show you fine detail, but here's what I know:

    Barrel is approx 32 1/2", the receiver bolt is broken at the rear, the right side of the stock has a symbol on it which is circular and has illegible markings within it (probably a cartouche). There is also a symbol, which may be a Chrysanthemum, on the top of the barrel block.

    There is a great deal of type on the barrel that appears to be Japanese (or possibly Korean). There are also English numbers stamped on the left side of the barrel (106144) and behind the trigger guard (???90). There are two bands on the stock, the front one having a place for a bayonet on the right side. This rifle is missing a cleaning rod.

    Thoughts?
    rifle9.jpg
    rifle3.jpg
    rifle4.jpg
    rifle7.jpg
  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    No, the type 30 had a 'hook safety' and fired the 6.5X50 Arisaka; this is older. Either a Murata type 13 or 18, not sure which though.
  • FatstratFatstrat Member Posts: 9,147
    edited November -1
    Comparing your rifle pics to what I see in my reference book (Military Rifles Of Japan" by Fred Honeycutt),I believe you have a Type 18.
    The difference between a T-13 and a T-18 appears to be that the forward portion of the receiver on the T-18 is octagon shaped as yours appears to be. While the 13 is rounded.
    And the 13 has a "tab" protruding from the top front of the bolt.
    Go to the "Gunboards.com" Japanese forum to get in tough w/the real Arisaka guru's. I'll bet they'll be excited to see what you've got and really dig in to help you!
  • p3skykingp3skyking Member Posts: 23,916 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You have what is known in collector circles as a Murata. I have one myself. It is 11mm and I cast my own bullets and load them. It was fairly common to lose the back of the bolt. It may be hard to replace with an original.
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