Examples with 2.5x and 4x powered scopes were made, with 10,000 produced in total. Type 99 Sniper Rifle - you get the picture, they're scoped Type 99s.Though 'last-ditch' Axis weapons like Kar98s and Carcano rifles also exist, the Arisakas are by far the most shittily-put together in general. Last-Ditch - informal slang on the military surplus market for Type 99 rifles produced in the final months of World War 2, where quality control had to be sacrificed in order to arm as many troops as quickly as possible.2.5 million were manufactured altogether. Usually graded by 3 categories of 'quality': Initial, Intermediate, and Last-ditch. Equipped with "winged" Anti-Aircraft aperture sights of questionable usefulness and chrome-lined barrels/actions built to better withstand the humid environments in which they served. Type 99 - a larger, more powerful Arisaka chambered in its own new 7.7x58 Japanese cartridge, comparable to 30-06 in dimensions and ballistics.The second and final main addition to the Arisaka line, which would (technically) succeed the Type 30/38 as the main issue rifle in Imperial Japanese military service from its designing in 1939 until the final dissolving of the empire in 1945. While uncommon at only 80,000 rifles made (40,000 by Beretta and 40,000 by other sources), this particular variant isn't particularly popular on the American military surplus market. As you might imagine, it hosts a Carcano-like bolt action system and Arisaka-Mauser fixed box magazine, as well as some other miscellaneous hybridization. Type I "Carcano-Arisaka" - a bizarre hybrid between the Italian Carcano and Type 30(?) built under contract from the Imperial Japanese Navy.Normally used specialty sniper-grade 6.5x50mmSR ammo to reduce recoil and noise report, which was also used in Type 11 machine guns. Type 97 Sniper Rifle - a modified Type 38 concept with a 2.5x factory-zeroed scope and downward-bent bolt, which resembles the arrangement of modified PU Mosin-Nagant snipers' bent bolts.Major differences include a folding spike bayonet and 2-piece cleaning rod assembly housed within the buttstock. Type 44 - another carbine-length development intended for use in cavalry units, though ended up in backline/support positions.Type 38 Carbine - again, a simple 300mm shortening of the base Type 38.Designed and continuously produced from 1905-1942 even when the Type 99 rifle was in simultaneous use, meant to be its replacement. Type 38 - also developed by Nambu, chambered in a slightly altered caliber '6.5x50mmSR Type 38', though the older 6.5mmR can still be used.Type 35 Navy rifle - the aforementioned design overhaul by Kijiro Nambu, who added a tangent (adjustable) rear sight assembly, larger bolt head, rearranged cocking knob to protect shooters from the aftermath of a possible blown primer, etc.Type 30 Carbine - same as the base Type 30, though about 300mm shorter.
![arisaka type 38 carbine sight with triangular arisaka type 38 carbine sight with triangular](https://modernfirearms.net/userfiles/images/rifle/5/1288255660.jpg)
The very first of the Arisaka series, chambered in 6.5x50mmR. While certainly not short-lived, the Arisaka family tree consists of a lot less intricate developments/variants than, say, Mosin-Nagants, and especially not the same myriad as actual Mausers. Another common trend (mostly in the early 6.5 caliber rifles) is the detachable dust-cover being missing, done ad-hoc in the field by most infantryman since its bulky and noisy presence caused more trouble than it did help in combat situations. This was deliberately done by surrendering Japanese infantrymen in order to preserve the dignity of the imperial Emperor Hirohito, as in Japanese culture, the flower symbol of the emperor being associated with surrender was a highly dishonorable offense. In its service lifespan, Arisakas were used by the Empire of Japan from 1897 until the end of World War 2, with some other East Asian armed forces also taking in lent/captured rifles.Ī notable, very common trend among Arisakas in the military surplus market (especially captured WW2 Type 99's) are defaced, or 'ground' chrysanthemum markings on the face of the receiver. Like the Russians with the Moist-Nugget, the Japs realized pretty damn quick that by the mid-1890s, that shit wasn't anywhere near cutting it for frontline combat, thus creating a new incentive for a domestically-designed and produced repeating rifle. The first physically produced 'Arisaka' pattern was designed by Colonel Arisaka Nariakira as the Type 30 in 1897, chambered for the 6.5x50 rimmed cartridge, in order to replace said obsolete single-shot Murata rifle.