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The Type I rifle was produced by Italy for Japan in the early part of World War II. The Type I is based on the Type 38 rifle and utilizes a Carcano action, but retains the Arisaka/Mauser type 5-shot box magazine. The Type I was utilized primarily by Japanese Imperial Naval Forces. It is chambered for the 6.5 x 50 mm cartridge. Approximately 60,000 Type I rifles were produced by Italian arsenals for Japan. There are unsubstantiated rumors that the final deliveries of Type I rifles were made by Submarine to Japan as actions only, and were put into stocks by Japan.
On the collector market in the United States, the Type I rifle is uncommon but not particularly popular among collectors. Since the heritage of the Type I rifle is both Japanese and Italian, it tends to be shunned by collectors of Japanese focus. The Type I also lacks the Japanese Imperial Chrysanthemum markings, or other markings that typically interest collectors of Japanese militaria. Many Type I rifles brought back to the United States as War Trophies were reportedly captured at Kwajalein Atoll, the Philippines, or from Japan at the conclusion of hostilities.
Empire of Japan
