Meiji 44th year carbine

Appears to be matching, except for release button for bayonet. Cosmoline found in several areas while disassembling. Bayonet housing is 3d version.

Many theories floating around about just who defaced the mum on Japanese weapons. I like to think that some GI filed "V" for victory over the emperor's royal seal. That GI probably liberated this from stores in the Japanese mainland--the blueing is close to 100% & only minor dings in stock.

On this forum I have seen other carbines/ rifles with matching dust covers. As noisey, irritating, and difficult to install as they were, I would hazard a guess that if your weapon has a matching dust cover, it probably never saw actual combat. This is also the reason why most covers are gone, or mis-matched. In actual combat, the last thing a soldier needs is problems with equipment.

Kind of like "Leggings, canvas, dismounted, M1938". Or Load Bearing Vests.

real nice looking

I had the chance to go halves on a collection many years ago and there were about three of these carbines. To think I could have had one...