7.7x58mm. 25.9" barrel. SN: 5882. Blued metal finish with gray paint over the receiver, magazine floorplate, and triggerguard set in Asian hardwood semi-pistol grip stock with correct spliced toe and full length upper handguard. Bolt action internal magazine fed repeating takedown rifle held together by a wedge pin inserted and threaded from the right. Left receiver displays the {Nagoya Arsenal} stamp without series marking. Imperial {Chrysanthemum} has been repeatedly struck with type markings intact. The mating numbers on the barrel and receiver do not match with the receiver and wedge pin numbered 362, and the barrel 731. Bolt, extractor, and cocking knob serial numbers are 808 with firing pin numbered 859. Rifle mounts the standard Barleycorn front blade with protectors, and ladder rear aperture with anti-aircraft legs. A folding monopod is attached to the middle barrel band, and the rifle comes with an original cleaning rod and a reproduction synthetic muzzle cover. Traces of grey paint visible on cleaning rod, barrel bands, and bayonet lug.

While Japan had experimented with Paratrooper commands since the late 1930s, their development remained somewhat abortive until 1941, when their establishment was pursued in earnest. In accordance with these developments, the Japanese tested a takedown rifle referred to internally as the Type 100, and a folding stock rifle based upon the Type 38 Carbine referred to as the Type 1. Pre-production batches of these rifles were produced for testing, but with the onset of World War II in the Pacific, the paratroopers were without compact rifle to drop with. Instead, rifles and heavy weapons were to be dropped by canister while the paratroopers themselves carried pistols, grenades, and bayonets. This arrangement did not endure contact with the enemy. On February 14, 1942, Japanese paratroopers dropped on during the Battle of Palembang, an attempt by Imperial Japan to deprive the Allied powers of access to the Palembang oil fields. During the drop, some of the paratroopers' heavy weapons fell into swampland around the drop site, forcing the paratroopers to rely on their sidearms and any weapons that could be scavenged on site. In the aftermath of the battle, testing of a simplified version of the Type 100 resumed, with the resulting rifle formally adopted in May, 1943. {C&R}

Good. Chromed bore is Very Bright with crisp Metford pattern rifling throughout. Metal finish largely gray to brown patina with some pinpoint pitting near muzzle, scratches, and abrasions. Traces of gray paint to all metal parts with further gray on receiver. Bolt face appears very bright, suggesting the bolt may have been aggressively cleaned at some point. Stock shows handling wear, dents, and stains overall with some signs of light sanding. Barrel with some rotational wiggle. Action mechanically functional.