Arisaka Type II Paratropper Rifles?

[Travis Bickle]

Was reading up on some more rare and obscure rifles of WWII.
Came across the Japanese Arisaka Type II Takedown Paratroop rifle.

I had never even heard of one. Are they common in Canada? ANyone actually have any experience firing them, stripping them etc.
Not interest in buying one at all just very curious about the rifle in general as well as commonality in Canada.

 

[Goo98]

Just seeing it in Dirty Harry.

 

[bp2626]

Interview with an author of a book on Japanese rifles and a history of / explanation of the Type 2 Paratrooper from Forgetten Weapons:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XESTQ_wQaWQ

 

[Travis Bickle]

Interview with an author of a book on Japanese rifles and a history of / explanation of the Type 2 Paratrooper from Forgetten Weapons:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XESTQ_wQaWQ

Very interesting.
So I take it that they are far from common.
Apparently only 25,000 produced.
Wouldn't expect even a single one to be around in this country.
Very cool forgotten piece of military kit for sure. Very ingenious.

 

[c1a1]

I got one at a Vancouver gun show in the early 1970's. Action was very tight, Never shot it, only one I have ever seen. Traded it off.

 

[jakester]

My Brother had one in the early '90's. The "Mum" had not been ground off, and the rifle was complete in every way including folding mono pod and unique rear sight that has a set of fold down horizontal bars that are supposed to be for Anti Aircraft use. Extremely uncommon, and even more so in VG+ condition. It's one of the few rifles he wished he'd kept.

 

[Eaglelord17]

Very interesting.
So I take it that they are far from common.
Apparently only 25,000 produced.
Wouldn't expect even a single one to be around in this country.
Very cool forgotten piece of military kit for sure. Very ingenious.

I am not sure it counts as forgotten, many people desire them. The issue is they are extremely expensive (especially those that escaped bubba), and rare. If any are in Canada at the moment they were likely brought up from the states, and likely sitting in a serious Japanese collectors collection.

 

[Travis Bickle]

Very interesting.
Thanks for the input guys.
Would love to just see one in person/handle one personally.

 

[R711]

I have one it's an interesting piece of history. Bought it from a collection, that I think may have been the largest japanese rifle collection in Canada. However, the son ignored maintenance on a majority of the vast collection. If I could find ammo I would take it to the range. I also acquired a type 99, type 99 last ditch and a type 38 (mintyish).
R711 OUT
P.S. Don't ask how much I paid, because well just because LOL