Original Item: Only One Available. The Murata rifle (村田銃 Murata jyū) was was designed by Major Murata Tsuneyoshi, and was the first locally produced Japanese service rifle. It was adopted in 1880 as the Meiji Type 13 Murata single-shot rifle. The 13 referred to the adoption date, the year 13 in the Meiji period according to the Japanese calendar, and these were marked 明治十三年 (Mei-ji Juu-san Nen / 13th Year Meiji Era) on the receiver. This was Japan's initial breech loading Rifle completely designed and manufactured since opening its borders to the Western World in the Victorian era. Superficial improvements such as components, bayonet lugs, and minor configurations led to the redesignation of the Type 13 to the Type 18 rifle in 1885, and these were marked 明治十八年 (Mei-ji Juu-hachi Nen / 18th Year Meiji Era) on the receiver instead.

In 1888 a magazine version was introduced in the reduced caliber of 8mm. Heavily used in the 1st Sino-Japanese War of 1894/1895, followed by the Boxer Rebellion, the Murata was replaced in 1898 by the first Arisaka magazine rifle. The Murata however remained in service for the Russo-Japanese War of 1904/1905.

This Example
Murata rifles are extremely rare in today's market, as once the Arisaka rifle was adopted the Murata was then designated and re-issued for training purposes at which time all the bolt heads were officially ordered removed. Once declared as obsolete and available for sale as surplus, being unusable due to the lack of the bolt heads, most were scrapped for the steel content. This Murata however escaped that treatment, and is offered fully intact with extractor and firing pin. The bolt cycles and dry fires correctly, though we have no way to check to see if it extracts correctly.

Condition of the rifle is very good, especially considering the age. The stock and metal components show wear, but the proofs and other markings on the metal components are still mostly clear. As a real rarity, the Imperial Chrysanthemum marking is FULLY INTACT, with no signs of wear or attempted "cancellation"! This should have been removed or defaced when it was taken out of service, so it is is possible that this example was never decommissioned as most were. We unfortunately do not know much about the history of the rifle before it came to us. Serial number 126122 is present on the barrel and receiver, as well as on the bottom of the nose cap, rear sight, bayonet lug, and trigger guard. The front portion of the bolt is matching, however the firing pin holder is not matching, really the only mismatched part we can find.

The stock does look to have been reconditioned at arsenal, or was simply worn down through cleaning, as the cartouche on the right side of the butt stock is just a "ghost". It shows the expected dings and dents from service, but no major damage, and it has a lovely dark red brown color. The metalwork is in very good shape, and unlike most we see, actually still has most of the original bluing on the receiver and barrel. The markings are crisp, so we see no evidence that it was ever refinished. The rifle still retains the front and rear sight, which is fully functional both with the leaf down and raised. Cleaning rod is present, something that we do not often see, and it still threads correctly into the stock with intact threads on the end. Both sling swivels are also present, and move easily.

The bolt cycles well with a crisp dry fire, though we have no way of knowing if it can still extract a cartridge. The bore is in very good near excellent condition, showing a bright finish with strong lands and grooves. There is some wear and past fouling that has been removed, but overall it's a great bore, and probably the best we have seen on a Murata of any type!

This is a great chance to own a rare service rifle, with loads of history! Ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1885-1889
Caliber: 11×60mmR Murata
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 32 Inches
Overall Length: 51 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: Single Shot

Development

The development of the weapon was lengthy as it involved the establishment of an adequate industrial structure to support it. Before producing local weapons, the early Imperial Japan Army had been relying on various imports since the time of the Boshin War, and especially on the French Chassepot, the British Snider-Enfield and the Spencer repeating rifle. This was about 300 years after Japan developed its first guns, derived from Portuguese matchlock designs, the Tanegashima or "Nanban guns".

The combat experience of the Boshin War emphasized the need for a standardized design, and the Japanese Army was impressed with the metallic-cartridge design of the French Gras rifle. The design was invented by Major Murata Tsuneyoshi, an infantry officer in the Japanese Imperial Army. Adopted in Emperor Meiji's thirteenth year of reign, the rifle was designated as the model 13 and went into production as the 11-millimeter Type 13 single-shot, bolt-action rifle in 1880, followed by the Type 18 in 1885.

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IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.