Arisakas for Sale?

GoodDoomguy

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Anyone know where I can find the Arisaka T38 and T99 rifles? Was waiting for them to come up on the EE section to no avail. Also frequented a few milsurp sites and couldn't find them. Any help'd be greatly appreciated, thank you.
 
Gun shows, personal connections (friends etc.), occasionally gun stores, and finally the EE here.

Getting a good example can be hard. Many of them are in pretty poor condition (Type 38s especially). Its just a matter of keeping your eyes open and paying attention so that when a good one comes up you can grab it. For example I remember about a year ago there was a beautiful all matching excellent condition early type 99 that came up on here with a Type 30 bayonet, and sold for 1500$ within minutes of being posted. Most aren't worth that much so don't think that is the average selling price, just a example to show good ones do come up from time to time.

The interest in the Arisakas has been rising in the last 10 years, ever since 'The Pacific' came out, and people realized they aren't just a crappy gun. Take your time, keep your eyes open and I am sure you will find a nice one.
 
I have imported a half dozen from the US over the years. Lots of nice ones on gun broker if you don't mind paying for the importation.
 
None on the EE recently? Pretty sure I saw some in the last month or so. These aren't rare by any means. If you're looking for minty examples or ones that didn't have the mum defaced then that might be harder to find but average examples pop up for sale quite regularly.
 
Eaglelord17, you're absolutely right, patience is a virtue I lack, should be opening my eyes more. I'm hoping more for a T99 because of its role in the Pacific theatre. Thanks again, your replies are the ones I always write notes on!

Claven2, can you please help me import one if I find it on the said forum?! I don't mind costs, thank you!!!

jbmauser, maybe I'm just not looking hard enough, but I only really remember seeing one T38 popped up a month or so ago going for $800+. PM'ed the seller in the morning but it was sold the afternoon. I'll look more carefully, thanks.

Also regarding local gun shows, where can I find information on the dates and locations of the events? The last one I went to is shown to me by my co-worker in a tiny ad on the paper. I don't read papers much, so is there a site where gun show events are listed? Or should I start reading papers now, I don't mind if that's what it takes. Thanks guys.


Gun shows, personal connections (friends etc.), occasionally gun stores, and finally the EE here.

Getting a good example can be hard. Many of them are in pretty poor condition (Type 38s especially). Its just a matter of keeping your eyes open and paying attention so that when a good one comes up you can grab it. For example I remember about a year ago there was a beautiful all matching excellent condition early type 99 that came up on here with a Type 30 bayonet, and sold for 1500$ within minutes of being posted. Most aren't worth that much so don't think that is the average selling price, just a example to show good ones do come up from time to time.

The interest in the Arisakas has been rising in the last 10 years, ever since 'The Pacific' came out, and people realized they aren't just a crappy gun. Take your time, keep your eyes open and I am sure you will find a nice one.

I have imported a half dozen from the US over the years. Lots of nice ones on gun broker if you don't mind paying for the importation.

None on the EE recently? Pretty sure I saw some in the last month or so. These aren't rare by any means. If you're looking for minty examples or ones that didn't have the mum defaced then that might be harder to find but average examples pop up for sale quite regularly.
 
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Google BC gun shows there are a half dozen coming up over the next month. Also, look in the upcoming events close to the bottom of the forum page
 
Google BC gun shows there are a half dozen coming up over the next month. Also, look in the upcoming events close to the bottom of the forum page

bearhunter, can you please PM me a link to the google search result? I googled "BC Gun Shows" and it directed me to events in Germany... I also checked the bottom of the forum and 90% of the posts are in the east coast. Thank you nonetheless!
 
There is a sporterized Type99 on the EE as well as a collection. Not sure of your budget but restoring the sporter might be an option. There are several stock sets on ebay right now. I've restored a Type99 before and it turned out really well.
 
If you intend on buying and shooting them I would suggest you focus your attention on the Type 99. Ammunition for the Type 38 (6.5x50mm) is a lot harder to find then Type 99 (7.7x58mm). If you can find commercial you'll be paying close to $60 for 20 rounds (Norma) otherwise you'll be reloading, which is what I do.
 
GoodDoomguy "british columbia 2016 gun shows" shows at least a dozen results on Google. There are at least two big shows coming up in March/April that are 600+ tables each. I have seen Arisakas for sale at both of them every year.

Just some information for you. I recently sold a type 38 carbine complete with bayo but no frog or sling for $1000. It was 95% outside and had a minty bore. The fellow picking it up knew exactly how difficult such a specimen is to find let alone purchase. Most Arisakas run in the 60-70% range and have poor to good bores. Some Type 99s have chrome bores. Most Arisakas are missing their dust covers.

You need to understand there is a huge difference in price once you get to premium condition firearms.

Many collectors believe ground mums take away all collector value. I agree they aren't as glamorous as battle captures but the defacing of the crest is part of their history and IMHO they are still collectible.

One other option is to look for Arisakas that were put into service by other nations like China/Thailand/Viet Nam/Korea/Mexico etc. Some will have the mums intact and some will have little extra petals added to deface them. Some are converted to 30-06 but still have the 7.7 bores. The Chinese built them in 8x57 and the Americans as well as Thailand which inherited many thousand Arisakas converted them to 30-06. I believe the Thai Arisakas are called the type 6. They are distinctive by the cut out receiver to accept the longer cartridge. They also have internal work done like extending the mag and a pressed metal front sight protector. Mexican type 38s are chambered in 7x57. I passed on one at a Kamloops gun show 18 years ago but I was in the middle of Chemotherapy and my head was on other things. Didn't stop me from going shooting and later that fall hunting though.
 
Sometimes you find things you are not really looking for. I came across a nice shooter grade 99 in a local gun store a couple years ago. Mum was ground, monopod, dust cover and AC site missing. Wood in very good condition and bore excellent. Bought the rifle and ordered a set of Lee dies. Fire formed some 3006 cases and used my 311299's with a mid range load of 4198. Another great cast bullet plinker added to my military collection. You don't see many Japanese rifles at the local ranges. Most guys want to fire a few rounds just because they can. Rifle cost me 350 bucks. Worth every penny to me.
 
I thought the Mexican Arisakas were like unicorn teeth.

Isn't there a Thai carbine styled after the M1 carbine?
 
P & S guns Militaria has a *(PS2613)- Finnish Issue Arisaka Type 30 Rifle, in 6.5 mm Jap., Extremely rare Finnish Civil Guard Issue, with Mum, mismatched bolt, Bore is rough, Overall Good condition. $950.00 Can + shipping.

Not sure if a type 30 is good but if the Finnish used it you know it is rare and nicely selected rifle.
 
That rifle at P&S is relatively rare and is in Good only condition.

The Russians, having purchased 600,000 Type 30 and Type 38 rifles from both direct purchase from Japan during WWI and also having captured examples during the Russo-Japanese War,[4] warehoused some of these rifles in Finland. During the Russian Revolution, many Finns seized the chance for independence and took Arisakas from Russian arsenals. They were used mainly by Finn cavalry and after Finland's independence, experiments were taken to upgrade the Type 38s to 7.92×57mm Mauser. With parts and ammunition drying up, Finland relegated the Arisaka to the reserves and the merchant marines before trading a large number of them off to Estonia. Finnish-issued Arisakas will have district numbers and an 'S' branded on the stock.

It would be an excellent addition to any Finland collection but not IMHO to a Japanese collection although it would be a representative of the Japanese type 38
 
Still a rare and desirable rifle and easily sold in the future to collectors. I would buy it but I don't like the bad guy rifles.
 
Still a rare and desirable rifle and easily sold in the future to collectors. I would buy it but I don't like the bad guy rifles.

You own Soviet firearms but 'don't like bad guy rifles'? You do realize everyone is a bad guy to someone else?

That Type 30 does have some interesting history, however doesn't sound like the history the OP is looking for. For starters that rifle could have been used in the 1905 Russo-Japanese War. 10 years later when Japan was getting rid of the Type 30s in favour of Type 38s, Russia was desperately seeking arms. So rifles that had been used against Russia were being sold to Russia. Some of those rifles did see combat on the Eastern front, some made it to other locations. Either way Post-WWI that particular rifle was in the hands of the Finns, who Bearhunter does a great job describing how they were used.

I would argue however it does make a great addition to a Japanese collection or WWI collection, as Type 30s are hard to find now, and this one has providence of being at least sold to the Russians in WWI. I guess it all depends on the individual collector to make his decision for his collection. Personally I know that would find a welcome home in my WWI collection, to other people it might just be a place holder.
 
That wasn't my description by the way. It was a copy/paste. I had done some research on that Finn Arisaka and remembered the history lesson.

Over the last couple of years I have sold off my Japanese issued Arisaka rifles. I decided I wasn't paying them much attention and there were other things I wanted to dabble in firearms wise. I did however renew my interest in Arisakas that were used by, captured by, sold to other nations. They were well made rifles and well respected by the rest of the world for reliability/accuracy/durability under harsh conditions.
 
Sorry guys, bought a few WWI and WWII rifles in the past few weeks, will post reviews of each one in the coming weeks (just got a promotion at work, busy making an effort) Sorry I neglected this post, will get back to all of you now!

jbmauser - Thank you, but I'm hoping to buy one with original parts, but still much thanks!

GunsNotPuns - Duly noted, and yes my main interest is in T99s, so I'll do as you suggest and focus on finding these instead. Thanks for the tips!

bearhunter - I just wrote down what you typed here on the Arisakas, very informative and insightful! Yes I too love the Arisakas partly because of their robustness and effectiveness. The P&S Finnish Arisaka is a fine sample indeed, but I'm currently hoping for a T99 that's early war made from Japanese arsenal. It's posts like yours that make me want to come on CGN thrice a day, just to read and learn! Much thanks good sir!

Old Ranger - You are one very lucky man indeed! I've yet to come across any Arisakas... Are they really good shooters in terms of accuracy?

MiG25 - I've never even imagined one as you described! Should be a sight to behold though!

TheGuyWhoLikesPies - Thanks, Guns Shows it is!

Bendeco - Yes it's a beauty indeed. But I'm more hoping for a T38 or T99 straight from the Second Sino-Japanese War, or ones that were used in the Pacific Theatre.

Butcherbill - Much thanks Bill, had the site bookmarked!

Eaglelord17 - You are inside my head Eaglelord17! Yes I am in fact hoping for a T38 or T99 used during the First or Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) or the Pacific Theatre (1941-1945). Oh and I'm not really into last ditch T99s (forgive me).
 
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