Yesterday's Weapons Forums

First T5 I saw was in the NRA museum and the second one was at the Pheonix Gun show. Fellow I know bought one and someone got the other one. Here is what Military Rifles of Japan has to say on page 170 of the 5th edition: " The navy began a semi-automatic rifle development program in 1944. All development is believed to have centered around the US M1 Garand configuration. The rifle developed for testing late in 1944 was designated "Type 4." Type 4, serial number 6 dated Showa 19.10 isan example of the initial test rifles. The photo of that rifle is shown.

Here are pictures of the one in Phoenix:









The magazine on this rifle holds 10 rounds and can be loaded with 5 round stripper clips. The only other difference of any significence is the rear sight on the T5 is a ladder type which is different from the M1. The gas chamber, operating rod, spring and mechanism that pushes the cartridges up are almos identicle. So is the trigger group and the guard pulls down from the rear like and M1 to take the trigger group out and start field stripping the rifls. riceone

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Mike

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin

"ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ" - King Leonidas I of Sparta

Visit "Smokeless Powder", my firearms and 2nd Amendment blog: http://fingolfen.blogspot.com

that is a very interesting rifle, id like to see one up close as well, that one looks fairly well preserved, must have never been used.

I've never heard of them being issued. Some say parts were made for 125. riceone

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Mike

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin

"ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ" - King Leonidas I of Sparta

Visit "Smokeless Powder", my firearms and 2nd Amendment blog: http://fingolfen.blogspot.com

A 'reliable source' told me there were not one, but two T4's at that show, both owned by the same fellow and both sold for princely sums (!) In the woulda-shoulda-coulda department I once had the opportunity to buy one: the price was $5000 (this was `84 or `85) and being the smart lad I once was, I knew that price was too high and that no Japanese rifle, not even this 'Hen's Tooth' one, would ever be worth that kind of money...ever!
Guess I showed `em, eh? "Old too soon - Smart too late"
JohnB/

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john b , if its any consulation id probably have passed too with similar comments [to cover up the fact i couldnt afford it ]

it is a very interesting rifle , i bet they would have gotten used if the invasion had gone off as planned

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Mike

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin

"ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ" - King Leonidas I of Sparta

Visit "Smokeless Powder", my firearms and 2nd Amendment blog: http://fingolfen.blogspot.com

Had a good friend that went in a custom boot maker in Fort Worth, looking at the boots and asked what a pair cost. Man said $750. Fast thinking friend of mine asked how long would he have to wait for a pair. Man said 6 months. Fast thinker told the man he could not wait that long.

Well I've been watching the auction and ain't a fast thinker, I have not recovered over the last four I bought so just no use getting excited over this one. It is nice and the fact its been refinished would no be the determing factor if I had the cash. riceone.

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I got a spare $20 if that will help!