Scarce Japanese Type 38 Short Rifle Kokura Arsenal 6.5x50 (L2026-06618)

Serial no. 1139686. Manufactured circa post-WWI at Kokura Arsenal, chambered in 6.5x50mm Arisaka,25 ¼" round barrel. The bore is bright and shiny with strong, well-defined rifling noted throughout. The imperial chrysanthemum (“mum”) has been removed from the receiver, indicating surrender or post-war defacement. The bolt matches the rifle, while the safety knob and firing pin are non-matching. The rifle has been refinished at some point in its life. The Type 38 short rifle is a scarcer variation of the standard Arisaka family, intended to provide a handier infantry rifle while retaining the strength and reliability Rifles produced at Kokura Arsenal are well regarded for their quality of manufacture during the interwar period. The action is smooth, mechanically sound, and functions correctly.