WWII Japanese Nagoya Type 97 6.5×50 Arisaka Mum Scoped Sniper Rifle, C&R
SOLD FOR: $4000
LSB#: 210609MW58
Make: Nagoya Arsenal, Japan
Model: Arisaka Type 97 Sniper Rifle
Serial Number: 12665
Year of Manufacture: 1937-1945, C&R
Caliber: 6.5x50mm Arisaka
Action Type: Bolt Action with Internal Magazine Fed By Stripper Clips. The magazine has a hinged floorplate.
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked with the serial number and the Nagoya Arsenal marking. The top of the receiver is marked with an intact Japanese Imperial Chrysanthemum and Characters denoting “Type 97”. The front face of the safety is marked “425”. The bottom of the bolt handle is marked “076”. The rear face of the bolt has decorative metal work. The bottom of the bolt handle has small markings. The bottom of the bayonet lug is marked “665”. The left side of the securing plate is marked “9304” and has three other Japanese characters. The inside of the securing knob is marked “290”.
Barrel Length: 31.4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is an inverted “V” dovetailed into a banded rectangular base with protective ears. The rear sight is a ladder sight that is screwed to the barrel. The rear of the ladder has a fixed peep sight for use when the ladder is folded down. When the ladder is folded up, there is an aperture in the center of the slider for use. The sides of the ladder are marked from “4” to “22”. The slider has spring-loaded latches for raising and lowering the slider and locking it into position. The ladder is missing the anti-aircraft wings. There is no visible import mark. Also included is an original Type 97 sniper scope with 2.5x magnification that comes in its original protective case.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is smooth wood with finger grooves, metal nose cap with a hole for the cleaning rod (not installed), pistol grip, straight comb, steel buttplate, and two sling loops with an original leather sling attached. There are a couple of splits in the leather that wraps around the main buckle. The buttstock is made from two pieces of wood, with the bottom piece starting near the bottom of the pistol grip. The lower tang wraps around the front of the bottom piece to better secure the piece. There are numerous scattered compressions, impact marks, scratches, scuffs, and scattered discoloration. Some of these defects have removed light portions of surface wood. There is a large split in the left side of the forearm as well as a hole on the adjacent side. Also on the right side, there is a crack that runs through the finger groove. The LOP measures 12 7/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has turned to patina and shows scattered pitting from erosion and nicks and scratches and is also shy of the wood. The stocks are in about Fair condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The lands are bright and the grooves have some light erosion. The rifling is well defined.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish throughout shows a pleasant dark patina. There is light thinning around the muzzle. There are some little nicks and dings throughout the metal. The bottom metal has scattered light pitting. There is thinning on the bolt from operational wear. The screw heads are disfigured yet serviceable. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good-Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The previously mentioned scope with the original case is included as well as the leather sling.
Our Assessment: As stated by Melvin Ewing from Sniper Central, “In the early phases of World War 2 when the American’s were first encountering the Japanese in the Pacific, nothing instilled more fear into the American GI than the Japanese sniper. During these early phases of the war, the snipers from Japan were very effective, gaining a reputation of exceptional fieldcraft and concealment capability. As tactics developed to counter the sniper threat and as the Japanese losses to their experienced sniper corps mounted, their effectiveness diminished, but their reputation had already been solidified. During the war, one of the rifles the Japanese snipers utilized was a sniper variant of the Type 38 rifle called the Type 97. The Type 97 was based on the Meiji 38th Year (Type 38) infantry rifle and chambered in the 6.5x50mm Arisaka Cartridge. The Type 38 included many design elements from the legendary Mauser action and was a considerable improvement on their own Arisaka 1897 design. Two of the main differences between the Type 38 infantry rifle and the Type 97 Sniper rifle was that the later model used a 2.5x scope, a turned-down bolt handle, and the early models came with a bipod. As was common on sniper rifles during this period, the scope was mounted offset to the left of the receiver to allowed the rifle to be loaded using stripper clips, also known as a charger, and it also allowed the sniper to still be able to utilize the iron sights. Type 97 was a large rifle with a very long 31.4? (798mm) barrel and an overall length of 50? (1.27m) and it weighed in at 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg). The internal 5-round box magazine could be loaded either by a 5-round stripper clip or individually.” This rifle is in about Very Good overall condition. This item would be an exceptional win for any WWII collector. Please see our photos and good luck!