There were around 50,000 made. A lot of folks don't know what they are as there are NO markings other than the serial number. I see people trying to get 350 - 400 for them on the auctions & no takers. Might just be the crappy economy, though.
A little more background on them: The Jap. army was heavily committed in China mid-late 30s and took every rifle the Jap. arsenals were producing.
"Hey! We need rifles, too!" said the Jap. navy guys. "Go pound sand in a rat hole!" said the army guys. "We have the supply sewed up and that's how the cow chews cabbage! ...neener!
" Or so.
Seems there was a long-standing fued between the Jap. navy & army & neither did the other any favors.... at any time!
So the IJN checked around, and their fellow Axis Scum partner, Mussolini was badly in need of $ for oil... and steel... and food - it was a long list. Also to impress uncle Adolph, he grandly offered to supply the IJN with 'all the rifles they needed'. For a price. Well, since Japan was their o-fficial ally, there was a 'discount' applied.
The story continues that these were transported from Italy to Japan in large cargo submarines... I've always been skeptical of that as the IJN pretty well owned the Pacific ocean at that point and there really wasn't a good reason they couldn't have just been hoisted onto some 'Maru' ( freighter) and eastward, ho to Japan.
These were issued to IJN Marines & were also supplied to the arms lockers of the bigger ships. Supposedly, they were not popular with the troops as they lacked the chrysanthemum stamped onto the receiver ring. I can't say for sure about that, but you find them either beat to heck ( combat vet ) or VG condition. ( arms locker queen) Some were also used by the troops patrolling the perimeter of the various navy bases around the empire.
The rifles left Italy with the stocks unfinished. Italy did not make bayonets, either. These take the standard Type 30 Arisaka bayonet. The IJN also used their own slings - which are sometimes seen for sale still... and are much more expensive than the rifle!
If you should find one missing the floorplate, mag spring and follower, use that as a major price bargaining point. Type 38 parts will fit right in & away you go!
You will not be so lucky with a cleaning rod. If you see a repro cheep, grab it as it will be quite a while before you see a real one at an affordable price!
If anyone here has one, post the letter prefix to the serial #, & I'll reply with which arsenal made it... if I can find my list.
SW
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