------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: http://www.wwiitech.net/main/japan/weapons/arisaka/ Date: 5 February 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Weapons: Type 38 'Arisaka' Rifle Written and Researched by Henry Saglio In the aftermath of their successful war against Tsarist Russia in 1905, the Japanese decided that they needed a new rifle to arm their troops and replace the current imported Western models. This new rifle was to be a manual bolt-action repeater, utilizing, like most of the rifles of its period, the Mauser bolt-action, and capable of accurate fire on targets up to 2,000 meters distant. Furthermore, the rifle had to be simple enough to be produced in its entirety by the still-primitive Japanese arms industry. The resulting weapon, the 'Sampichi Shiki Hoeiju', or Type 38 infantry rifle, was nicknamed the 'Sampichi Arisaka', after the weapon's designer Arisaka, and first entered service in 1905. The Type 38 possessed several characteristics that set it apart from the rifles of other advanced nations. For while most European rifles had a caliber of 7.5mm to 8mm, the Type 38 was a rather small 6.5mm caliber, which meant that it lacked power when compared to the larger European weapons. However, the small caliber was necessary due to the inability of Japanese industry to produce the high-grade steel needed for rifle barrels capable of sustaining the stress put upon them by larger caliber bullets. But even this reduction of caliber was not enough to sufficiently reduce the stress on the gun's low-quality parts, so Arisaka also had to give the rifle a very long barrel, just over 79cm in fact. Because the Japanese usually went into battle with their bayonets attached, the total length of the weapon was around 165cm and was usually taller than the soldier carrying it! These odd characteristics of the Type 38 did impart some advantages, though. First of all, due to the small bullet and long barrel, the Type 38 had virtually no recoil and very little muzzle flash. Secondly, the 6.5mm round tended to 'tumble' when it struck flesh, causing terrible wounds that were much more difficult to patch up than the cleaner wounds caused by higher power bullets. Thirdly, the Type 38 gave off a very odd report when fired, so it was very difficult to tell where the sound was coming from. This was a critical advantage in jungle fighting, when oftentimes the only way to detect an enemy was by the report of his guns. Despite whatever accidental advantages the Type 38 possessed, in the 1930's the Japanese realized that it was an obsolescent weapon, and that their industry was now capable of producing a more modern weapon. By 1939 the Japanese had a new rifle in production, the Type 99, but since troops fighting in China received first priority for new weapons the majority of the Japanese troops who fought against the Allies in 1941 and 1942 were still armed with the Type 38. It saw extensive service in the Phillipines, Malaya, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, and also equipped the garrisons on Tarawa and the Marshall Islands. By late 1943 the Type 38 had been largely phased out of frontline service, though some units continued to use it until the end of the war. There was also a special sniper's version of the Type 38, which had a x2.5 magnification scope, a turned down bolt handle, and a fore mounted monopod. The sniper's version was also manufactured to a higher standard than the regular rifle. Data for Type 38 'Arisaka' Rifle: Type: 38 Rifle Round: 6.5mm, semi-rimmed, ball and tracer Muzzle velocity: 765 m/sec Length: 127cm (most common; also 112cm and 96.5cm) Weight: 3.9kg (also 3.7kg and 3.25kg) Magazine Capacity: 5 rounds ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/japanese_markings.html Date: 4 February 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Arisaka rifles are named for Colonel Nariakira Arisaka, who headed a commission during the 1890s which was charged with developing a new rifle to replace the earlier models such as the Murata. The Arisaka rifles were designated with the year of the current emperor's reign. Thus, the Type 38 rifle was designed in the 38th year of the reign of Emperor Meiji (1905), and the Type 44 carbine was adopted in the 44th year of his reign (1911). During the reign of Hirohito (after 1926), rifles were designated by the last one or two digits of the adoption year according to the standard Japanese calendar. Thus, the Type 99 rifle was adopted in Japanese calendar year 2599 (1939), and the Type 2 paratroop rifle was adopted in calendar year 2602 (1942). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: http://patriot.net/~jstevens/Isiu-Island/1942_14.html Date: 4 February 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model 38 rifle, named after its inventor, Colonel Nariakira Arisaka. In service with the Japanese Army from 1906 to 1945, this was a 6.5mm weapon which appeared in both 'long' and 'short' models - though at 44inches, even the 'short' type was unwieldy enough for short Japanese soldiers in thick jungle. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: http://patriot.net/~jstevens/Isiu-Island/1944_14.html Date: 4 February 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model 38 Arisaka rifle - the number referring to the 38th year of the Emperor Meiji's dynasty, or 1906. There was an attempt to replace this outdated 6.5mm calibre weapon with the newer Model 99 in the 7.7mm calibre already employed by the Model 92 machine gun; but it was never completed, and the confusion of calibres made for logistic difficulties. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: http://www.hidden-and-dangerous2.co.uk/weaponsaxishd2.htm Date: 5 February 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Introduced in 1905, the Type 38 was a bolt-action rifle which was the standard weapon of Japanese infantry. Its reason for success was that it was highly reliable and a highly accurate. Also used as a sniper rifle. Weight: 4.31kg Magazine: 5 rounds Effective range: 600m Calibre: 6.5mm ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: http://www.qt.org/worldwar/weapons/japan/ija/model38.html Date: 5 February 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Model 38 6.5-mm "Arisaka" Rifle Type: bolt action rifle Caliber: 6.5-mm (.256 inch) Length: 50.25 inches (standard infantry issue); 44.25 inches; or 38 inches [carbine] Weight: 9.4 lbs (standard infantry issue); 8.6 lbs; or 7.8 lbs Feed: 5-round clip Muzzle Velocity: 2,400 feet per second Ammunition: semirimmed ball cartridges ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: http://home.earthlink.net/~starscope/vinrif.html Date: 5 February 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISAKA TYPE 38 CARBINE My father-in-law, John W. Manning, served in the Army in WWII. While in the Phillipines, he took this rifle from a Japanese prisoner. When he returned at the end of the war, this rifle was stored in his attic for the next 50 years. Mr. Manning passed away some years ago, and his surviving wife, Marion, gave the rifle to my wife, Marsha, last year. The rifle was so "gunked" up that it was not functional. I spent about 40 hours taking it apart and soaking the metal parts in kerosene. After soaking, I used a toothbrush to clean away some of the years' accumulation of gunk (that's the most descriptive word I can think of). Click on the thumbnails below for larger images and details. The Arisaka Type 38 is chambered for 6.5mm semi-rimmed case, which is no longer available. I did find a source for handloads on the Web and was able to procure some. According to the ballistics table, the Type 38 fires a 145 grain bullet at 2400 fps...more than enough to kill a man, deer, bear, etc. After acquiring some ammo, I was reluctant to fire a 70 year old war relic from my shoulder. I remotely test-fired it twice with no ill effects, then fired it from the shoulder. The recoil is mild, and the weapon is accurate... given the iron sights. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: http://www.rememuseum.org.uk/arms/rifles/armrjrc.htm Date: 4 February 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Japanese experiences in China showed the need for a more powerful cartridge than the 6.5 mm. They already had a 7.7 mm semi-rimmed cartridge in use with their Type 92 (1932) heavy machine guns. From this they developed a rimless version for use in rifles. Four trial rifles were submitted, including one each from Nagoya and Kokura arsenals. Several patterns emerged from these tests, but each indicated that recoil was too excessive for the short statured Japanese soldier. It was finally decided to develop a short rifle for cavalry and special troops and a long one for infantry. A second series of tests was run at Futsu proving ground, resulting in the Nagoya designed rifle being selected. A third lot of tests followed to iron out accuracy 'bugs' and test improved ammunition resulting in the adoption of this rifle in 1939. In 1942 a model of Type 99 was introduced for sniping, using a four power telescope. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: http://vikingphoenix.com/public/rongstad/military/rc/rcap/Japan/japmodel.htm Date: 5 February 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rongstad's Japanese Military Model Numbers, 1926-1945 Japan Military Model Numbers, 1926-1945 Why the Zeke was called the Zero. Why there was an Arisaka 7.7mm Model 99 rifle. Western Year Japanese Year Model Number 1926 2586 86 1927 2587 87 1928 2588 88 1929 2589 89 1930 2590 90 1931 2591 91 1932 2592 92 1933 2593 93 1934 2594 94 1935 2595 95 1936 2596 96 1937 2597 97 1938 2598 98 1939 2599 99 1940 2600 0 1941 2601 1 1942 2602 2 1943 2603 3 1944 2604 4 1945 2605 5 Prior to 1926, the year that the Showa Emperor Hirohito took the throne, military model numbers were indicated by the year of the reign of the living Emperor. [For example, a field gun introduced in the fifth year of the reign of the Emperor Meiji would be called the Model 5. Emperor Taisho was the successor of Emperor Meiji, and a weapon introduced in the seventh year of his reign would be called the Model 7]. The Japanese dates after 1926 (2586) were set from the assumed date of the founding of the Japanese Empire, probably set by Shinto scholars. The Zero aircraft was rolled out of Mitsubishi's Nakajima Aircraft factory one night in 1939, pulled through narrow streets by ox-cart for assembly at a nearby airfield. Later this famous World War II fighter plane model '0' was put into service in Showa 2600, 1940 in the Western world. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: Did You know that Japanese rifles saw action in Europe? Date: 4 February 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Did You know that Japanese rifles saw action in Europe? A: The Japanese rifle which was used worldwide is Type 38 Rifle, known as Arisaka Rifle. Many countries imported Arisaka rifles in large numbers, for example, England, Russia, Finland, Thailand, China etc. In Europe, the Finnish Army introduced Arisaka Rifle and used them in the wars with Soviet Union. There is an episode to prove that the Arisaka Rifles were used worldwide. Lawrence of Arabia used [the] Arisaka Rifle in combat with the Turkish. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: http://www.carbinesforcollectors.com/mex.html Date: 4 February 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A critical problem for Mexico, the Diaz government and subsequent governments was lack of hard currency and a very, very bad credit rating. As the internal pressure mounted on Diaz, he sought a way to acquire more rifles as soon as possible. The best deal was for Japanese Arisaka Type 38 rifles and carbines to be made at Koishikowa Arsenal. These rifles were made with the Mexican Crest on the ring and about 5000 were delivered before Mexico defaulted on payment after Diaz was forced out. The rest of the contract was stored until WW1 broke out and the British arranged for the purchase of many of these rifles. U.S. banking interests provided the loans to finance the purchase and most were probably sent to Russia by the British circa 1915. Some of these contract rifles were brought home by GI's in 1945 as war booty having been found in Japanese armories. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: http://oldguns.net/cgi-bin/f2f/f2f.pl?http://oldguns.net/q&a11_01.htm Date: 20 September 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- # 4374 - Mexican-Japanese-Russian Arisaka Rifle 11/10/01 Jerry- Massachusetts Answer: Jerry - The Eagle with snake and Republica Mexicana clearly identify this as a rifle made for Mexico, and the date 1913 narrows down the period. The Japanese looking characters are another very important clue. Around 1910, Mexico was busy buying and making rifles, amidst one of their frequent revolutions where one band of envious thieves was trying to seize power and the opportunity to loot the treasury from the incumbent band of thieves. (A tradition which has continued right up to the present, although their most recent Presidential victor has not yet shown anything like the corruptness of his predecessors.) Anyway, the government of Porfirio Diaz ordered 40,000 Type 38 Arisaka rifles from Japan in 1910. Except for being in 7x57mm Mauser caliber (instead of the 6.5mm Japanese caliber) and having a slightly modified rear sight leaf and bayonet lug, these were very similar to the standard Japanese rifle. It is believed that they were made at the Koishikawa arsenal. Only about 5,000 of the rifles were delivered before Diaz's turn to loot was terminated, leaving the Japanese stuck with the rest of the batch. In 1914, Japan sold some 35,400 to Imperial Russia, and many were used in WW1. It is believed that the rifles starting with serial number C through M were the ones shipped to Russia. We can only guess at how it got from Russia to the People's Republic of Taxachusetts. While these are certainly oddities with an interesting history, the condition probably hurts the value quite a bit. It would be a nice restoration project for someone looking for a much odder than usual military rifle that has literally traveled all the way around the world. John Spangler ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes: 1. My comments and paraphrases are in [square brackets]. 2. Sources and dates of download are noted. Paul M. Webber 24 September 2002 Home Page: http://home.pcisys.net/~pwebber/31_id/rtw.htm Edited on 30 Jun 2021: Changed two instances of Arisaska to Arisaka.