Arisaka Model 44, 6.5 Jap

7

762shooter

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A friend has one of these for sale and he would like some idea of what its worth. Can anyone help?

His dad brought it back from Japan where he had been with the US Army of Occupation. This isn't a battlefield pickup, it was a turn-in after surrender in Japan. The finish on the metal is very good, the wood is dented here and there but not bad. It still has the sliding bolt cover and folding bayonet. The bore is filled with cosmoline or grease, probably done by my friend's father at some point. Due to the filled bore I'm not sure of the condition of the bore, I guess I should clean it out and have a look. The chrysanthemum is defaced by two shallow hacksaw cuts in an X shape, nowhere near as ugly as the ground off ones.

I should add, my friend isn't looking for top dollar. He would prefer a reasonably fast sale at a fair price and to a good home.

Comments?

Edit: I cleaned the bore. It is shiny, no pits, excellent condition. One thing I notice is that the rifling seems to be cut shallower than western military barrels are cut.

The bolt, receiver and muzzle cap/bayonet mount all have matching serial numbers. I couldn't find serial numbers anywhere else.
 
Last edited:
762shooter said:
A friend has one of these for sale and he would like some idea of what its worth. Can anyone help?

His dad brought it back from Japan where he had been with the US Army of Occupation. This isn't a battlefield pickup, it was a turn-in after surrender in Japan. The finish on the metal is very good, the wood is dented here and there but not bad. It still has the sliding bolt cover and folding bayonet. The bore is filled with cosmoline or grease, probably done by my friend's father at some point. Due to the filled bore I'm not sure of the condition of the bore, I guess I should clean it out and have a look. The chrysanthemum is defaced by two shallow hacksaw cuts in an X shape, nowhere near as ugly as the ground off ones.

I should add, my friend isn't looking for top dollar. He would prefer a reasonably fast sale at a fair price and to a good home.

Comments?
Click to expand...

The type 44 is somewhat uncommon from what I understand, with only just over approx. 90,000 produced. Compared to approx. 3.4 million type 38's, and 3.5 million type 99's.

From a collectors standpoint, it's a shame the mum was defaced but this is still a somewhat scarce rifle in Canada. The defaced mum will have an impact on value, even if it was cleanly cut.

I would check to see if the numbers are matching. Check the receiver, bolt body, safety, and bayonet housing. If everything matches that would have a positive effect on value.

The type of folding bayonet assembly also factors into value. Some types are rare and bring decent money on their own.

It's easy enough to clean the grease out of the bore. I would want to know if I was buying it, otherwise I'd have to assume the worst when making my offer.

Based on this, my rough guess would be around low end $400 to an optimistic $700.

Without photos, this is the best I can do. When members post this type of question with no quality photos it's really not possible to give an accurate answer.

Good luck,
-Steve
 
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