Pics of 'mummy wrapped' last ditch Arisaka.

[rambo46]

What a fabulous piece of history. Get all the background info you can on this rifle and as others have said, buy it and leave it as is. I, like many, have been collecting military firearms for over 50 years and have a fairly good number of Arisakas but never have I

had the opportunity to purchase such an incredible find. The asking price is more than reasonable, good luck, I'am envious.

Bruce

[enfield303t]

I personally would buy it in a heart-beat at that price. I wouldn't let the idea of unwrapping it cross my mind. I would venture a guess it may be the only one left, just imagine if it is.

[Aragorn243]

I'd buy it for that price. And probably resell it for a lot more and buy a couple of pristine rifles that I could shoot. Personally, I couldn't stand looking at it wrapped up like that but that's me. Leave it to the serious collectors.

[chuckchili]

Thank you for sharing the asking price. I would also snatch it for that price without thinking about it (which would kill my gun budget for a couple months) and never unwrap it. I agree that there is a strong possibility that another may never pop up for sale again.

[jmoore]

Just an observation, but it looks to me like the wrapping is of US origins. Standard nasty-ish green fabric backed grease paper stuff. If Japanese, I would have expected a plain greased rice paper.

If it's USGI wrapped (for the trip home), then it would not add all that much to the value. If verifiably Japanese, it would be quite the treasure, and best left "as is".

[NRA]

I have pulled off some of that "Standard nasty-ish green fabric backed grease paper stuff" only to find it was not keeping anything safe or pristine.

[jjjxlr8]

I can't believe you haven't purchased it, yet!! I wouldn't have left the building without it, especially for $400.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I'd buy it for that price. And probably resell it for a lot more and buy a couple of pristine rifles that I could shoot. Personally, I couldn't stand looking at it wrapped up like that but that's me. Leave it to the serious collectors.

Great minds think alike?

[Aragorn243]

Just an observation, but it looks to me like the wrapping is of US origins. Standard nasty-ish green fabric backed grease paper stuff. If Japanese, I would have expected a plain greased rice paper.

If it's USGI wrapped (for the trip home), then it would not add all that much to the value. If verifiably Japanese, it would be quite the treasure, and best left "as is".

That is a very interesting point. In that it is a last ditch rifle when they were in desperate need of firearms, why would anyone go to the trouble to wrap it up like that. I would make sense that a soldier shipping it home may do that to keep the salt water off it.

I would still think it would have collector value above and beyond the norm even with that though.

[Midmichigun]

HHMMM... that would have been some serious Sailor to grease and wrap it up that way... I haven't heard of anyone doing that before, but it is possible.
$400, if it is authentic.... is a steal.

Leaving it wrapped up, it is unique and therefore has value ('specially if it is authentic).
As to whether the wrap is really protecting it, that is a tough call. The exposed wood calls for some treatment perhaps... Is the grease still pliable or has it hardened into a rock??

If your friend is willing to keep it for a bit, and you are still leery, post on some other sites which specialize in Japanese weapons, and get additional opinions. But I think that you will get similar advice as to what we have given you....