Murata 22

I got this from a friend today, he said his dad brought it home from WWII when he came home from the Navy. It is a first variation and all the numbers I can find match and the sling looks like it's been on this rifle a long time. The bolt head is missing, this is a very common thing with the Murata Type 22 and I think it's becasue most of these rifles were pretty much used up and were then school marked for training so the bolt was rendered unuseable(that's just my thought). This rifle is school marked and the Mum has four circles overstamped on it. The Japanese produced between 100,000 and 150,000 of the Murata Type 22 in both variations from 1889 to 1899 and they were used in the Sino-Japanese War from 1894-1895, the Russo-Japanese War of 1904 and 1905 and in the Boxer Rebellion. It has an 8 shot tubular magazine and shoots the 8x53R cartridge, unique to the Murata(except for possible use is some Japanese Gattling guns). This rifle was built early in the production, most likely the first year.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...02/02011-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...02/01819-1.jpg
I've seen this number on a couple of other Murata 22s in the same place.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...02/01721-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...02/01623-1.jpg
This reads: Tokyo Artillery Rifle Manufacturing Factory
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...02/01427-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...02/01525-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...02/01327-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...02/01232-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...02/01136-1.jpg
This is the magazine cutoff
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...02/00841-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...02/00743-1.jpg
This says: Adopted in Meiji 22
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...02/00940-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...02/00654-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...02/00560-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...02/00465-1.jpg
This is factory checking(checkering?), kind of reminds me of a BAR.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...02/00364-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...02/00271-1.jpg
I'm probably wrong but I think loosely translated this reads: Gun withdrawn from service.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...02/01034-1.jpg

Since it seems obvious you load have you ever made or reloaded any ammo for this rifle. I have one [with bolt head] so if you need any demissions....

Nice example of a fairly uncommon rifle....

I'd hazard a guess and say the '6 5 4' are elevation graduations for the rear sight, much in the same manner as Finnish M28-30s and M39s.