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LOT 3400
Exceptional World War II Japanese Nagoya Type 2 Paratrooper Bolt Action Rifle with Bayonet, Documentation, and Bring Back Provenance - Serial no. 6754, 7.7 mm Japanese cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood stock. The Type 2 is a takedown variant of the Type 99 Arisaka, designed to be easily disassembled for use by Japanese paratroopers for carry during jumps. An included document signed by the consignor, dated September 7th, 2008, states, “My brother gave this Arisaka Type 2 Paratrooper rifle S/N 6754 to me in 1946 when the LST-1083 [Landing Ship, Tank] came back to the U.S. at the end of World War 2. He was an officer on the 1083, part of TF31 and the first LST to drop anchor in Japanese water on 27
Aug 1945 after the atom bomb was dropped. At 0930, 30 Aug 1945 the second LST by mere minutes to be beached at Yokosuka Navy base home of the Japanese Marine Paratrooper ‘Rikusentai’ Special Naval Landing Force with the US Marines of the 1st and 3rd Battalions of the 4th Marine division. That is where he captured the rifle.” Features a blade front sight and folding rear sight with anti-aircraft wings, a mum present on the receiver, smooth pistol grip stock with cupped buttplate, “438” assembly number on the rear stock iron and barrel, “432” assembly number on the front stock iron, and the matching partial serial number on the bayonet lug, barrel lug, dust cover and bolt components. Includes a Toyoda Jidoshoki Seisakusho (Toyoda Automatic Loom Works) marked bayonet, metal scabbard, period canvas sling, two stripper clips, a July 1988 American Rifleman magazine containing an article about Type 2 rifles, and a binder containing a period photograph of Japanese paratroopers and information related to this rifle, the capturer and LST-1083. No official period War Trophy paper is included. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% plus original blue finish with scattered areas of moderate freckling, and sharp markings and edges in the metal. Stock is very fine with numerous scattered dents and scratches, and otherwise defined edges. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet and scabbard are very fine with a few chips in one of the grip panels, and the sling is very good. Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 3401
Rare Folding Stock Japanese Type 38 Paratrooper Carbine with Matching Number
Dust Cover and Intact Mum - Serial no. 4690, 6.5 mm Japanese cal., 19 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood stock. Based on the Arisaka
Type 38 cavalry rifle, and replicating the mechanism of the Karabiner 98k “Klappschaft” variant, this little produced paratrooper rifle is designed as a takedown. Unlike the much more common Type 2 paratrooper rifle, which separated completely into two independent parts, the stock is hinged and folds to the right. This particular configuration was found to be too weak and fragile for combat and was thus never adopted. Approximately 200-300 of this particular model were produced as test subjects. Features standard inverted V front and graduated ladder sights adjustable to 2000 meters, front and rear sling swivels, correct matching number “690” dust cover for bolt, matching numbered bayonet lug, bolt handle is the correct plum shape, full length cleaning rod is stored under the barrel. Built with a Type 38 receiver and carbine length barrel at the Nagoya Arsenal. Receiver has an intact 16 petal Imperial mum and correct characters denoting it as a Type 38 receiver. CONDITION: Fine with 70% original blue finish remaining, multiple areas of surface pitting, and some areas of heavy brown patina, primarily on the folding hinge. Stock is very good with original oil finish, multiple indentations, and dents. Mechanically excellent. Hinge has been repaired with a replacement spring with detent. You have to manually push the detent spring to open stock. Wing nut wings broke off also. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 3402
Rare Japanese Type 99 Arisaka Bolt Action Pressure Test Rifle - Serial no. 6, 7.7 mm cal., 26 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood stock. This is a very scarce example of a World War II Japanese Type 99 Arisaka pressure test rifle. These rifles were manufactured on a very limited basis by both of the major rifle factories and were used by the Japanese ammunition factories to test or check rifle cartridge chamber pressures. The general process was to insert a copper cylinder or disc between the upper and lower pistons which would compress during firing. By measuring the compression of the copper, evaluators could get an accurate read on the pressure generated by the shot. This model has the original reinforced chamber with truncated cone at the forward end of the receiver that still has the original pressure test pistons and assembly on top. The left side of the receiver is marked with the intertwined cannon balls of the Kokura factory, and the top of the receiver, pressure chamber and barrel are all numbered “6”, with the number “4” on the bolt handle as well as on the pressure chamber, and “96” marked on the pressure chamber plug and cap. Some examples of Japanese pressure test rifles are pictured in Honeycutt and Anthony’s book “Military Rifles of Japan” on pages 175-176. CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% original blue finish with some light flaking around the muzzle. Stock is very fine with a heavy coat of applied varnish and a number of pressure dents and handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500 221