Japanese Arisaka Rifle 6.5MM

[Chuck W]

My Father and I each purchased a Japanese Arisaka 6.5MM rifle years ago. We put them on sport stocks that we finished from a rough blank. Each gun is original, with all working original parts, including the bolt covers. Neither gun is pitted or rusted. His has the original "chrysanthemum" insignia, but mine has been ground off, indicating it was brought to the USA after WW2.

We never fired the guns, although the firing pins are intact and ready. We built these on a whim, and now I am in possession of both. I have no interest in keeping them, and was looking for a value, or a purchaser.

Any ideas???

Chuck W

 

[Jim Watson]

Do you still have the military stocks and hardware? If they can be "re-miled" they will be of some value and interest. Bubbaguns are hard to move, though.

 

[mnrivrat]

What Jim said + 1

If you have the old stocks and can put them back to original they will draw some interest in the $200 or more area. (ea.)

If left on the sporter stock they are not all that valuable . As shooters with high price ammo (Norma ammo is almost $40 a box of 20) they won't bring much. Maybe around the $100 area. (ea.)

 

[oneshooter]

Having the Mum on the reciever indicates that the rifle was battlefield recovered/captured. The mum was removed as a condition of the surrender. This is because it was a symbol of the Emperor and the weapon would not be given up withb it complete. All weapons had the mum removed were before they were surrendered to the Allies.

Oneshooter
Livin in Texas

 

[Strings]

wait a sec... you have one that still possesses the Mum? Regardless of what you do with the other, get that one returned to original! I've only ever seen one Japanese weapon that didn't have the Mum removed/defaced (my Type 99 just has a couple gouges through it). THAT could have serious value to a collector...

 

[nfl1990]

His has the original "chrysanthemum" insignia

That will be considerably more valuble.

Are either the Type 38 Long?
If so they will be more valuble as those are also rare.

 

[blackedoutharley]

6.5

got any pics??? If you have the original stocks that does increase the value greatly. Last week at the Reno Gun show there was a Jap rifle that had been sporterized and rechambered to 30.06 going for $140.00 asking price.
original configuration is more valueable. Norma 6.5 is pricey as indicated in other post. You can now buy Graf 6.5x50mm for $17-$20 a box (20rds).

Where are they located??? I may need another to compliment my bring back type 44 calvary carbine (300 yrd shooter on iron sights).

 

[Chawbaccer]

there was a Jap rifle that had been sporterized and rechambered to 30.06 going for $140.00 asking price.

Was it re-bored too?
I've come across stories about the GI's bringing back jap rifles and re-chamberting them to 30-06, but leaving the bore at 6.5 and using it for a hunting rifle. talk about a strong action.

 

[Strings]

ACtually, it's my understanding that the Army Ordinance boys ran some serious torture tests on the Arisaka action, and they could NOT get the bolt to let go. Barrels blown down range, yes. But never a failure of the bolt...

 

[mnrivrat]

re-chamberting them to 30-06, but leaving the bore at 6.5 and using it for a hunting rifle.

You may be thinking of the 7.7 mm japanese rifles . Mosty type 99 where the barrel bore is close to the 7.62 mm of the 30 - 06 cartridge.

 

[Chawbaccer]

no, it was the 6.5. The story I remember was it was a common bubba type job and it mentioned the extruded bullets that came out.