bigun454
Definitely sounds like a Type 38 Arisaka Short Rifle (1905). It was 44 1/4" long with a 25 1/4" barrel, and weighed about 8.5 pounds. It was made from 1905 to 1939, when several design changes were implemented, along with a caliber change to 7.7mm., resulting in the Type 99 rifle. To quote Frank de Haas from his book, Bolt Action Rifles:
A modified Mauser design, the Type 38 has several features distinctly of Mauser design, but a couple of others which were new and entirely Japanese designed. These new features make this action different from any other military bolt action made before or since. In some ways it is a crude action, not being very easy to operate, but it is simple and very strong.
In the section de Haas wrote about the Type 38, he also related a story where an amateur gunsmith rechambered a Type 38 to accept a .30-06 cartridge, but left the original 6.5mm. barrel on. He test fired it, then used it again to go deer hunting. After experiencing considerable discomfort from the recoil, he took it to a gunsmith to find out what the problem was. The gunsmith quickly noticed the obvious discrepancy about the original barrel (forcing a .30 caliber bullet down a .264 caliber barrel), and sent the rifle to the NRA for further testing. The NRA test fired some more rounds through it, and still the action and the barrel remained intact. From this experience, deHaas concluded that not only was high quality steel used throughout the construction of the bolt, receiver, and barrel of the Type 38, but that the breech and locking design were superior as well.