Arisaka Type 38 Carbine

Arisaka Type 38 bolt action carbine. The breech ring is stamped with a chrysanthemum, three Japanese characters (Type 38) and on the left side the Nagoya arsenal mark and the serial number. The bolt has a straight arm, a pressed metal dust cover and a round knurled cocking piece. It has a full wood stock and top hand guard that is held in place by a central barrel band and front end cap. It is stamped on the right side NX28462 Cpl J H Paton 2/4 Commando SQDN, Corpl Power, Clark ST [Sergeant?] and another name which may be Reardon. The stock has numerous bruises overall, the butt is split and the wrist has been repaired. Complete with a cleaning rod and a leather sling that has spring hook clips.

The Arisaka Type 38 carbine is a short version of the Type 38 rifle and was designed in 1905 as a result of the experience gained in the Russo-Japanese War. It has many features of the German Mauser G98 action and was one of the standard weapons used by the Japanese Military forces during the Second World War. It can be fitted with the standard Type 38 bayonet used with the rifle. The provenance of this weapon is not known although the markings on the side indicate that it was captured by the 2/4 th Commando Company possibly in New Guinea. Corporal Paton was James Henry, NX28462.