Arisaka Type 2 Paratrooper Matching 7.7 Japanese Bolt Action Rifle C&R

SOLD FOR: $2623.79

Make: Nagoya Arsenal, Japan

Model: Type 2 Arisaka “Paratrooper”. Takedown Type 99 Arisaka

Serial Number: 2144

Year of Manufacture: 1942 – 1944

Caliber: 7.7x58mm (7.7 Jap)

Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine

Markings: There is no visible import mark. The top of the receiver has had its chrysanthemum (the Imperial ownership seal) removed. It is still marked with Japanese characters that translate to “Type 2”. The left side of the receiver is marked with the serial number “2144”, the assembly number “969” and the Japanese symbol for the Nagoya Arsenal. The left side of the barrel shank next to the receiver, both halves of the metal joining area and the takedown knob on the right are all marked with the matching assembly number “969”. The joining lug on the bottom rear of the barrel is marked with the last 3 digits of the serial number “144”. The bottom of the bayonet lug, bottom of the bolt handle, bottom of the safety, firing pin and extractor are each marked with the last 3 digits of the serial number “144”.  There are small stampings on the rear of the bolt handle. There is decorative metalwork on the safety knob.

Barrel Length: Approximately 25 1/2 Inches

Sights / Optics: The front sight is an inverted V post set between two protective ears. The rear sight ladder has a fixed aperture when down and a sliding aperture when flipped up. The ladder is marked from 3 – 15. The sides fold out to be used as anti-aircraft sights. The AA sights are marked “2” in the middle and “3” on the ends. There are inverted V notches on each side of the AA sights.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The three piece stock has a pistol grip, finger grooves, nose cap with bayonet lug, hole for the included cleaning rod, barrel band with sling loop, sling loop on the left of the butt with a finger groove above it, 2 drain holes and metal buttplate. There is a metal joining mechanism below the front of the receiver and the barrel shank. It wraps around the stock and has a “D” ring takedown knob on the right side. The takedown screw is captured so it won’t be lost in the field. The buttplate and stock hardware shows scrapes and discoloration from oxidation. The wood shows numerous scrapes, scratches and compression marks. Several have damaged or removed small portions of the surface wood. The wood has been oiled.  The LOP measures 12 1/2 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original
The metal has been treated with cold blue.

Bore Condition: The lands are bright, the grooves are semi bright and the polygonal rifling is well defined. There is some light intermittent erosion at the muzzle.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 8 out of 10.
Many military and C&R-eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.

Overall Condition: The metal has been treated with cold blue. This rifle retains about 93% of its metal finish. The top of the receiver shows tool marks where metal was removed.  The metal shows scrapes, small scratches and areas of discoloration. The front of the barrel shows some surface erosion. The receiver and trigger guard show oxidation. The screw heads show heavy use. Most of the markings are well defined. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus 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 requirements.
The rifle can be taken down and put together properly.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The Type 2 Paratrooper rifle is basically a take-down version of the Type 99 Arisaka rifle. The Japanese experimented with several versions of paratrooper rifles, including ones with folding stocks and an interrupted thread-style take-down before settling on this one, which has a screw-in wedge that holds the two halves together. The Type 2 is the only paratroop rifle that was produced in any real quantity with only about 21,200 known to have been produced. The model designation comes from the year based on the Japanese system that counted from the date of the founding of the Japanese Empire in 660 B.C. By this system, the Western year 1942 when the gun was adopted was 2602, with the “2” becoming the model designation.

This Japanese Type II Paratrooper was made during WWII at the Nagoya Arsenal. The rifle looks pretty good for its age and still has a strong bore. It has deep markings on the metal that include matching serial numbers and assembly numbers. Its chrysanthemum has been removed but that is common of captured or surrendered Japanese rifles.

…Now go shoot something!