Image Lot Price Description





185
$6,325.00

*EXTREMELY RARE JAPANESE TEST TYPE 1 PARATROOP BOLT ACTION CARBINE. SN 196. Cal. 6.5 Jap. This carbine was built for Army paratroopers from a standard type 38 carbine. It has a 19″ bbl with square base barleycorn front sight with vented protective ears and a 2,000 meter ladder rear sight. Chamber of rifle has the imperial chrysanthemum with Japanese characters. Mounted in its orig laminated mahogany stock that has been cut just behind the receiver with a heavy lacquered hinge on right side and a wing nut with articulated hook on left side. Right side of butt is crudely inscribed “JERRY RAPP”. It has an upper hand guard with middle band and butt stock having sling wires with an orig Japanese canvas sling. It is speculated that only approx. 200-300 of these rare rifles were ever made and to this cataloguer’s knowledge were never put into service as a paratrooper item as the Japanese were only experimenting with the paratrooper concept. Accompanied by an orig sheet metal dust cover and an extremely rare Type 2 paratrooper bayonet which has the serial number “7898”. Bayonet has its orig steel scabbard and brown leather frog. The spine of the handle shank has the figure “8” in a circle arsenal mark along with a subsidiary mark of a small shield inside a diamond. Very few of these rare bayonets have ever been encountered. PROVENANCE: Stern Collection. CONDITION: About fine. Metal retains most of its orig arsenal blue, somewhat thinned on the trigger bow. Stock has a repaired chip on right side of wrist, otherwise wood appears to be sound with numerous nicks, dings & scratches and retains generous amounts of orig varnish. Mechanics are fine, strong bore, dark in grooves with scattered fine pitting. Bayonet, scabbard & frog are extremely fine. 4-33704 JR154 (2,500-4,000)


Auction: Firearms - Spring 2008
Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.