Original Item: Only One Available. The Type 30 rifle Arisaka (三十年式歩兵銃, Sanjū-nen-shiki hoheijū; 'year 30 type infantry firearm') is a box-fed bolt-action repeating rifle that was the standard infantry rifle of the Imperial Japanese Army from 1897 (the 30th year of the Meiji period, hence "Type 30") to 1905. Manufacture started in 1897 at Koishikawa Arsenal (小石川工廠, Koishikawa Kōshō) in Tokyo, and production continued until 1905, with about 600,000 rifles and carbines produced.

This example is marked on the left side of the receiver with serial 3 88540 next to the "stacked cannonball" logo of Koishikawa Arsenal, which means it is a series "3", with serial "88540". It has an early "hook" safety on the bolt, and the Chrysanthemum crest is the correct 16-petal type and also the correct style for the very early production, during 1897-1898. Later examples would move to a slightly different "mum" and safety handle. We have only ever had a few Type 30 rifles, and they rarely come to market.

The rifle is in lovely matured condition, possibly having seen service for 40 years or more. It is correctly marked 三 十 年 式 (30 Year Type) on the top of the receiver between the gas escape holes, and above this is still an original Chrysanthemum Crest, which has been overstamped with the "stacked cannonball" logo of Koishikawa Arsenal, meaning that it was "withdrawn" from service. The Type 30 was only produced from 1897 to 1905, after which it was replaced with the Type 38, based on deficiencies noted during the Russo-Japanese War. After this, the Type 30s were withdrawn gradually, with many being sold off during the WWI Era, when countries such as the Russian Empire and Great Britain being supplied by Japan, who would ship them a mixture of Type 30s and Type 38s. Many were also later given to Russia by Britain, and others were used during the Finnish Civil War.

We unfortunately do not know the history of the rifle, but it very possibly may have been captured during WWII, as Japan also still continued to use them until 1945. We did not notice any proofs or markings from other countries, just the usual small KANJI on the left side of the receiver. There are also various markings in Japanese and Western Numbers on various components of the rifle. We did not notice any serial numbers on other components of the rifle, so there is no way to verify whether any parts were replaced or not. There is also a 一 〇 六 marking on the right side of the butt stock, which looks like it was pressed or branded in.

The rifle is substantially complete, including both the upper and lower receiver tangs. In a Type 30 Arisaka, both of these are separate parts that latch into the rear of the receiver, so they can relatively easily be lost during servicing. We did not note any other commonly missing parts. The metalwork is in very good condition, and the markings are still easily read. We did not observe evidence of major modern refinishing or aggressive cleaning.

Functionally, the rifle is still able to cock and dry fire, and the bolt release on the left hand side works as well. The Type 30 took some inspiration from the Model 93 and 95 Mauser rifles that were being shipped around the world at the time, and this release is one such example. It even has the "pop up" magazine follower, which gets in the way of moving the bolt forward after the last cartridge is ejected. The magazine floor plate and follower can be removed for cleaning by pressing the release on the front of the trigger guard forward. The early pattern "hook" safety on the back of the rifle is still present and fully functional. We checked the bore, and while it is overall dark and oxidized, dropping an LED bore light shows that it still retains strong rifling.

The stock on the rifle is in very good condition, with a lovely red brown finish. As with many later Japanese rifle designs, the butt stocks were often made from two pieces of wood, since Japan did not have access to the large lumber supplies other parts of the world did. The joint on the butt stock does show the seam on both sides, which has opened up on both sides, but it is still quite solidly attached. We did note some oxidation and wood loss near the butt plate tang. Both sling swivels are present and moveable, and the rear sight works correctly as well. There is still a cleaning rod installed on the rifle, which is released by pushing in the spring behind the nose cap.

With its early hook safety, withdrawn 16 petal chrysanthemum crest, Koishikawa Arsenal markings, and clearly marked Type 30 receiver, this rifle has strong collector appeal as an early Japanese service arm. The substantially complete configuration, surviving cleaning rod, functional bolt and safety, strong remaining rifling, and attractive red brown stock finish add considerably to its display value, while the opened butt stock seam, localized wood loss, and dark oxidized bore honestly reflect its age and long service life. Although its individual military history and any later foreign service remain unknown, this example would display particularly well in an antique Japanese arms, Imperial Japanese military, early Arisaka, or bolt action rifle development collection.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1897-1898
Maker: Koishikawa Arsenal
Caliber: 6.5×50mm Arisaka
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 38 Inches
Overall Length: 50.2 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 5-round internal magazine
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

History of the Type 30 Arisaka Rifles & Carbines

The Imperial Japanese Army began development of a new rifle in December 1895 to replace the Murata rifle, which had been in use since 1880. The project was handled by the Koishikawa Arsenal in Tokyo under the direction of Colonel Arisaka Nariakira, and was the first in a series of rifles which would be used through World War II. By 1900, the Imperial Japanese Army had most of its divisions fully equipped with the rifle.

The Type 30 was first designed for the semi-rimmed 6.5×50mm Arisaka cartridge. The sights could be set up to 2,000 meters (2,200 yd). Besides the standard rifle, there was also a carbine version, 962 mm (37.9 in) long, which was intended for the cavalry and other troops who needed a shorter or lighter weapon. It had a sight that could be set up to 1,500 meters (1,600 yd). The prototype was called the "Type 29 rifle" and, after enhancements, was redesignated as the "Type 30". It went into production in 1899. This weapon could be equipped with the Type 30 bayonet.

The Type 30 was used by front-line Japanese forces in the Russo-Japanese War. Although it was a major improvement over the Type 22 rifle (also known as "Murata"), it had some reliability and safety issues. Based on combat experience, an improved version, the Type 38 rifle, was introduced in 1905, although not all units received the new version and, as a result, a mixture of models was retained by the Japanese Army into World War I and later into World War II.

Aside from Japan, the Type 30 was supplied to numerous nations during and after World War I. The most predominant user was the Russian Empire, who ordered up to 600,000 Arisaka rifles, with at least half of those being Type 30 rifles and carbines.

Early in World War I Britain ordered around 150,000 Type 30, and Type 38 rifles and carbines from Japan as a stopgap until the manufacture of their own Lee–Enfield rifles caught up with demand. Some of these rifles were handed over to the Royal Navy and to Arab forces fighting with Lawrence of Arabia. The majority of these weapons (Type 30s and Type 38s) were handed over to Russia in 1916, who were far more desperate for arms. Russia in turn also bought many more thousands of Type 30s rifles and carbines, Type 35 rifles and Type 38 rifles and carbines from Japan. A number of these rifles ended up being left behind in Finland or captured from Red Finns in the Finnish Civil War as the Soviets armed them with Arisakas. Later on Finland gave some of these rifles to Estonia who also received them from other sources. Estonia later converted some or all to take .303 British as Britain had also supplied Estonia with Vickers machine guns and P14 rifles. The Czechoslovak Legion fighting in the Russian Civil War was also armed with Japanese Arisakas, including the Type 30.

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 most US States and most U.S. territories.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for 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 most addresses within the United States.