From the Vault: Arisaka Type 38 Carbine

Today, we bring out the Big Guns - Brownells Gun Techs Steve and Keith - to do some show-and-tell on a neat little gun from World War II. The Japanese Arisaka Type 38 Cavalry Carbine is much shorter and lighter than the full-length Type 38 or Type 99 infantry rifles. Type 38 carbines were issued not only to cavalry troops but also engineers, quartermasters, and other rear-echelon personnel. It might've also been an excellent "jungle carbine" for troops schlepping through the jungle all day, but the Imperial Army brass thought it underpowered for frontline combat use. Chambered in 6.5x50mm Arisaka, which has about the same oomph as the .30-40 Krag, the Type 38's gentle recoil means it's a lot of FUN to shoot. It's a simple, straightforward little rifle with an action very similar to the Type 99 Infantry Rifle. There's a Mauser-style bolt with big claw extractor, stripper-clip fed 5-round internal magazine, reinforcement tangs on the two-piece stock, side-mounted sling swivels, and a 19.25" long barrel (vs. 31" on the full Type 38 rifle). Keith's Type 38 carbine was manufactured at the Tokyo Arsenal and is in excellent condition - right down to the chrysanthemum stamp on the receiver. Keith explains why an intact mum boosts a rifle's value. A handy, sweet-shooting, easy to carry, elegant little piece of history.