Japanese Type I

[Aragorn243]

Kind of a last minute decision due to a snow storm but decided to go to a nearby gun show.

Impressions since going to a gun show near Philly two weeks ago are that people are going nuts. Two weeks ago a WASR 10 Romanian AK semi-auto were selling for $700 which was up from $550 prior to the school shooting. Today the exact same rifles were selling for $1250. Granted I didn't see any walking out the door but that's the price on the table and there weren't many on the tables. Two weeks ago, they were everywhere. AR's were listing from $1500 to $2400 and these were selling at the low end.

In any case it also affected my purchase as the dealer was completely unwilling to bargain on price. He was selling SKS's one after the other and actually raised his price $50 since the morning.

I found a Japanese Type I in very nice condition, possibly too nice with the finish on the stock. It has a high gloss finish which I've never seen on a Type I before but looks like the finish on an Arisaka. The metal looks to be 95%+, the inside looks 100%, the bolt face doesn't look like it's been fired and the bore is bright and shiny. The stock does have some dings and scratches and one possible carved character that resembles a 7. Has original cleaning rod. The stock is separated a bit along the butt joint. Does not appear to have been sanded, the wood is bulky around all the metal parts.

I don't have time for photos tonight but will try to get some up tomorrow.

Like I mentioned, it was a bit more than what I wanted to pay, I think you get accustomed to going to a show like this, seeing the asking price and then making an offer/counter offer etc to do better. Price was not out of line by any means and I think I got a decent deal on it even if the finish is an add on.

Information

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[grumpy638]

Was also at the show and saw Type I price was good I thought stock did look like it had a finish applied picked up one about 3 weeks ago in mint condition for just a liittle more.You are right about AR prices saw one at Oaks 795 same thing today 1595 and person looking at it said it was a good price go figure, just laughed and walked away.Wait 2 months prices will be back to normal.I'm sure you have seen me at the shows I have a table at them.Don't sell guns thought just my way of being able to buy them and have fun lots of good people there.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I don't have time for photos tonight but will try to get some up tomorrow.

Can't wait.

[Aragorn243]

Photos came out dark due to flash I believe. Finish is fairly heavy but more solid than the Russian shellac although that is what it resembles. I haven't done anything to it, not even wiped it down. I'd like some opinions on the finish and if it is not original how best to get it off without disturbing the finish underneath.





This is the inside of the action



This is the "carved" "7". Could just be a scratch but it seems deliberate.



Not sure how well you can see it but the cleaning rod has the little stamp like the bolt head

[Midmichigun]

Aragorn,
Nice!
I passed on a Type 1 (first that I ever recognized in person). The finish more resembled a typical Arisaka. I didn't recall any markings on the wood.
The price was well under $400.00.

I really like that rifle!!

[Aragorn243]

I paid $259 for it so I think it was a fair price considering the condition. All I've ever seen were pretty beat up examples so I don't have much to compare it too. The bore just has some dust in the first inch or so so it hasn't been fired in a long while, no pitting, no rust.

---------- Post added at 12:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:01 PM ----------

I'm sure you have seen me at the shows I have a table at them.Don't sell guns thought just my way of being able to buy them and have fun lots of good people there.

I get pretty single minded at these shows so if you didn't have a milsurp sitting on the table I probably flew by. Let me know how you set up and next time I'll stop in and chat.

[Old Joe]

I got a nice Type one, also mint, awhile back and took it to the range..It just feels so tight. 400 bucks wasn't a deal but was not a screwing either with such a good bore as long as you plan to bang off some rounds with it.

Old Joe

[Aragorn243]

Research indicates that these rifles were shipped from Italy to Japan unfinished and many can still be found that way. Others were finished by the Japanese, linseed oil being most commonly recognized. No specific mention of the Arisaka type finish this looks to have but a somewhat vague reference that they were finished in different ways.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Photos came out dark due to flash I believe.

Very nice. I knew you would come thru with som photos. Is it just me or does the shiny finish not appear on the horizonal surfaces along the barrel channel and action recess? It looks very nice as is.

[Aragorn243]

The finish is on the horizontal surfaces, they also have oil/grease on them which cut down the shine. I took the hand guard off today and it was not applied to the interior, that looks like it is either unfinished or one coat of oil, it's fairly clean and dry. No rust under the hand guard either. Didn't really expect it with the exterior condition but you never know. Have not yet felt ambitious enough to take the action out of the stock to see who made it. Stampings on the bolt are all PB that I've found so far. Parts for these were made at several factories and then assembled at another. The assembly plant is supposed to be marked on the bottom of either the barrel or the receiver.

I did try on it's pre-purchased bayonet. Fit perfectly. I did however find that one of my other bayonets is out of round and needs fixed. Not sure how that escaped me to this point. A couple of taps with a hammer should fix it.