Type 44 to buy or not to buy

[gerry]

I bid on this type 44 and was the high bidder but did not meet the reserve. Seller did the haggle thing for $750. He told me that everything matches except the floor plate but did not know if all that matched the assembly number. Looks like this gun has been listed for a while since he talks about going hunting in November. Wondering if anyone has any info on this rifle or if its worth it or not.
Thanks for the help,
Gerry
Auction Link

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[Patrick Chadwick]

From the auction pictures and the text (quoted below) I can make the following observations:

"the 97% beautiful blue"
- if that is "97% beautiful blue", then I have some rifles with 110% finish
"exc wood"
- the wood has plenty of dings and scratches
"and bore 19" bbl bolt don't match"
- since the bolt/system match is the most basic match for a rifle - much, much more important than numberng of barrel bands etc, that is a strong mark-down point for a collector OR a shooter
"has the folding bayonetadopted in 1911 the 44th year of the hentreign hence . exc wood no cracks"
- the butt toe section has parted company with the rest.
"even has the full mum"
- so why is there no picture of what would be a good plus point for collectors?
"this is the best one i have ever seen"
- in which case, I don't think the seller has seen many
"no rust or pitting"
- so what is all that brown speckling clearly visible, for instance, on the nosecap/bayonet-hinge section?

In Germany, I would call that a "Belegexemplar" - i.e. a very much less than perfect example which one buys to fill a gap in a collection, just for the sake of completeness, until something better comes along.

Fair enough, if that's what you want. Is the carbine really so desirable? Will you really never, ever, see anything better. Because if you do, you will regret having bought the poorer example. The "going away in November" reference is the best clue that the reserve price is way above market reality.

But remember, there is no such thing as a correct price for such things. If someone is prepared to pay 750, then that is what it is worth - to that person at that time. If no-one is prepared to pay that (and they seem to have had half a year to decide!), then it is not worth it.

It's your money, therefore your call.

Patrick

[gerry]

Thanks for the reply Patrick. It has been hard getting info from the seller. He did answer an email I sent and said everything matches, but the floor plate. He did not say if those numbers match the assy number. I dont think he knows what an assy number is. If all those parts do match the assy number I think its worth it. Stock has dings but also appears not to have been sanded. It does have a mum that is pictured. Its a very tuff call, kind of a gamble on this one. Seems like there are very few of these for sale lately.
Thanks for the help.

[Milsurp Collector]

This one sold for $1,275 Japanese Arisaka Type 44 6.5mm w/folding bayonet : Curios and Relics at GunBroker.com
this one sold for $1,775 WWII JAPANESE ARISAKA TYPE 44 1ST V FULL MUM MINTY : Curios and Relics at GunBroker.com
and this one sold for $2,260 WWII Arisaka Type 44 6.5mm Calvary Carbine Rifle. : Bolt Action at GunBroker.com


I don't think $750 is a bad price for that one.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Well, if they really have such a scarcity value....? A very difficult decision!

Patrick

[jmoore]

That's a boatload more than 3 or 4 years ago- about twice to three times what they were bringing in the southern US - matching w/ good to excellent finish! Have'nt paid much attention to 'em recently, yikes!

[gerry]

This one sold for $1,275 Japanese Arisaka Type 44 6.5mm w/folding bayonet : Curios and Relics at GunBroker.com
this one sold for $1,775 WWII JAPANESE ARISAKA TYPE 44 1ST V FULL MUM MINTY : Curios and Relics at GunBroker.com
and this one sold for $2,260 WWII Arisaka Type 44 6.5mm Calvary Carbine Rifle. : Bolt Action at GunBroker.com


I don't think $750 is a bad price for that one.

Went ahead and took the plunge for $750. Ill post pics when I get it all cleaned up.
Thanks for all the opinions

[gerry]

Went ahead and took the plunge for $750. Ill post pics when I get it all cleaned up.
Thanks for all the opinions

Here are some pics of it. Everything matches assy number including wood except for the floor plate. Rear site has 3 numbers on it, 1 matches the assy number, not sure what the other numbers are on that. Has 6 groove bore. In the end I think it was a bargain considering what these have been going for.

[J.B]

Its my personal opinion that the most recent prices are just two knuckleheads dueling it out. Could also have something to do with a certain show on HBO (which wasnt too souvenir heavy by the way). I think the prices will go back down. You did good, I think there are alot of rifles out there with mismatched floorplates. If you look at a picture in Military Rifles of Japan, there are a group of Japanese soldiers with their rifles completely disassembled, I would imagine that alot of floorplates got mismatched in that way.

[gerry]

Its my personal opinion that the most recent prices are just two knuckleheads dueling it out. Could also have something to do with a certain show on HBO (which wasnt too souvenir heavy by the way). I think the prices will go back down. You did good, I think there are alot of rifles out there with mismatched floorplates. If you look at a picture in Military Rifles of Japan, there are a group of Japanese soldiers with their rifles completely disassembled, I would imagine that alot of floorplates got mismatched in that way.

Good points. Ive also heard that the floorplates would fall out since they pop out so easy and the soldier may not realize it untill its too late to find his.