Japanese Tokyo Artillery Type 35 6.5 Arisaka Mum Dust Cover Bolt Rifle, C&R
SOLD FOR: $2956
LSB#: 210917MW26
Make: Tokyo Artillery Arsenal, Japan
Model: Type 35 Navy Rifle
Serial Number: 14840
Year of Manufacture: 1902-1905 C&R
Caliber: 6.5mm Arisaka
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle w/ Hinged Floorplate Internal Magazine
Markings: The top of the receiver is marked with the Japanese Imperial Chrysanthemum and five Japanese characters denoting “3 / 10 / 5 / year / type”. The top rear of the receiver is marked with the serial number. The light side of the receiver is marked with the Tokyo Artillery arsenal mark next to two small Japanese characters. The bottom of the bolt handle is marked with a small Japanese character next to “450”. The bottom of the rear sight is marked “137”. The lower metal ahead of the floorplate and the floorplate are marked “U O”. The comb at the heel is marked “851”. The right side of the buttstock appears to be marked “S76621” but it is difficult to make out. The bottom of the wrist is marked with a stamp that cannot be made out (please see photos).
Barrel Length: 30.5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is an inverted “V” integral to a rectangular base that is banded to the barrel. The rear sight is a V-notch step up elevator sight. The steps graduate from 3-20.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is smooth wood with finger grooves, metal nosecap with a hole for the cleaning rod, pistol grip, straight comb, steel buttplate, and two sling loops. 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. There is light material loss at the toe. Some of these defects have removed light portions of surface wood. Most of these imperfections have darkened with age. There are no visible cracks. The LOP measures 13” 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. The stocks are in about Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dark with erosion throughout. The rifling is well defined.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows thinned finish throughout the barrel. The nosecap and barrel band show thinning at the edges and light surface oxidation. The dust cover shows a light mottled patina. There is thinning on the receiver from contact with the dust cover. The bolt shows light oxidation and finish loss. The bottom metal shows some oxidation. There are nicks and scratches throughout all metal surfaces. The screw heads are lightly tool marked. The markings are clear except for those on the buttstock. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good-Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The installed dust cover is included.
Our Assessment: Not long after the Imperial Japanese Army adopted the Type 30 rifle, the Imperial Japanese Navy realized they needed a modern rifle to replace their obsolete Type 22 Murata rifles currently in use by their Special Naval Landing Forces. Furthermore, the Tokyo Artillery Arsenal stopped manufacturing the black powder in use by the 8mm Murata cartridge. Army Captain Kijiro Nambu of the Tokyo Artillery Arsenal was appointed leader of the commission assigned to correct the issues of the Type 30 rifle that had arisen in the field with the Type 30.The Type 35 rifle was created from the Type 30 rifle for the Imperial Japanese Navy as a replacement for their aging Type 22 Murata rifles and to try to correct the deficiencies of the Type 30. The 35 referred to the adoption date, the Year 35 (1902) in the Meiji period according to the Japanese calendar. The Type 35 was produced from 1902 to 1905. This example is in about Good-Very Good condition. It has its mum intact and it comes with a dust cover. This model saw a very short run in production having only been produced for three years. So don’t let the opportunity pass to add this one to your collection. Please see our photos and good luck!