Arisaka Rifle

Specifications

Type: Rifle

Caliber: 7.7x58mm (Type99), 6.5x50mm (Type38)

Capacity: 5 rounds

Fire Modes: Single (Bolt Action)

The First Model of the Arisaka Rifle was designed by Colonel Nariakira Arisaka in 1897. It was the official service bolt action rifle for the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces from 1897 to 1945. There are Five major variants - the Type 30, 38, 44, 97 and the 99. Of all these rifles, the Type 38 and Type 99 Rifles were the most common and were the rifle most likely to be encountered during the war in the Pacific. There were various sub types, like the 7.7 Sniper or the 6.5 Take Down Paratrooper model, but these rifles were rare specialty rifles and only several hundred were made of any of the rare versions.

The early models of the type 99 contained a folding wire monopod, flip up sights with "Anti-Aircraft" bars, chrome plated bores, and a dust cover. As the war went on the quality had dropped. These late war rifles where known as "Last Ditch" rifles and were very crudely manufactured with most missing the accesories of the earlier models.

The two most common rifles - The Type 38 was chambered in 6.5x50mm Arisaka and the Type 99 was chambered in 7.7x58mm Japanese.