WW2 Japanese rifle - what is this?

[JT-AR-MG42]

Carl is absolutely correct.

As to the carbine, WOW!

The Type 30 carbine is one of the rarest of modern era Japanese Military longarms (standard issue).
That carbine is in museum condition.

Type 30s were retired from active military service long before WWII and I've never read on one as a battlefield pick-up.
The stock marking - never found on active service rifles(except drill rifles) - probably indicates it's intended useage while in China
as a civil authority firearm, much like the CC rifles.

Desidog, you tell your pal that I will marry his mother-in-law if that gun is the dowry. I am serious.

Even though it is technically not a WWII gun, that carbine would be the centerpiece of most any Japanese military collection.
That Type 30 carbine just made my as-new Type 02/45 (last ditch emergency rifle)
and stone mint Jinsen Type 38 rifle (by far the rarest of the Type 38 long rifles) look a tad dull in comparison.

Congratulations to your friend, and tell him to take good care of that piece of history.

Thanks for sharing, JT

 

[RA40]

Very nice! As been mentioned that the rifle still bears the seal is outstanding. Dad finished his service with patrols in Kyushu following the surrender. All the "conditioning" propaganda during the conflicts he'd do his shore patrolls with a very skeptical eye towards the Japanese. When he relayed that they were friendly people and welcomed them he was off guard. Anyway, he said as they collected various arms there were piles of rifles that they would load on ship and when the ship was off shore sufficiently they would dump them into the blue. Many of the crew would take them as souvenirs of being there. Dad brought back two (I forget which models) and a bayonet. The bayonet was stolen from a basement break in at his old house unfortunately. I haven't brought those rifles out in a very long time.

 

[milemaker13]

My dad has a couple Japanese rifles from WWII. I'll have to take a closer look at them (their hanging over the stairs) to see what they are.

How can I tell what model they are? I'll try to get a few pics as well.

 

[CapnMac]

How can I tell what model they are?

Best way is to post picture here and ask.

 

[milemaker13]

It may be awhile, but I will certainly do that. Thank you.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

This particular unknown rifle, 6.5mm Arisaka Type 30, is a prime example of why some people are upset over military rifles that got semi-porterized by importers (or owner Bubba at his kitchen table) back in the 1950s and 1960s. Even though it looks in close up to be a little rough abound the edges, Type 30s in original as-issued condition are not common. We will soon be at the point that almost any as-issued military rifle with all its parts will have some historical value.
I am not going to lament the 1950s, 1960s imports that were sold as-issued $14.95, "semi-sporterized" $19.95. I will warn people that heirloom war trophies may be valuable historical artifacts and are worth far more as-issued than sporterized.

 

[desidog]

Great. Thanks for the replies.

Tark, any word from your son about the sword?

 

[tark]

Nothing yet. Ill remind him again. When he does get back to me I'll put it up in a new thread, in the non-firearm weapons section

 

[tark]

My 'puter whiz nephew is coming over this weekend to figure out why I can't seem to post pics on my new computer. When he does, with your permission, I'll put up the pic you sent in the non-firearms section. That might get us a quick response

 

[tark]

My son has not had a chance to see Yoshi, his old Sensi, yet. He did warn me to tell you NOT to touch or attempt to clean the tang on that sword! Even if it is rusted. Do not touch it! To do so would seriously devalue the sword, in case it is a valuable blade.

 

[tark]

The sword was made by Fujiwara Yohiomi. Noshu is the province where it was made, during the Showa era. It was made between 1926 and 1945. Probably before WWII. The sword isn't rare but it would still be a treasure .

 

[tark]

Value of this sword would depend greatly on condition. Any way you could post a few pics in the non-firearm section? I know this isn't your sword, so please try to impress upon your friend that he should NOT do anything to that sword. Don't try to clean it, or polish it or try to sharpen it. And don't touch the tang, even if it is rusted.

It is almost certainly worth more than the rifle.

 

[desidog]

Very interesting. Thank you!

I will try to get more pictures of the sword next time I’m over there.