T2 Japanese Experimental Folding Bayonet Rifle

[riceone]

One of two know examples of the T2 Experimental Paratrooper rifle with folding Bayonet. All the numbers match. Has no mum or arsenal mark. No hook on the bayonet housing.Dust cover matches too and the bolt handle screws off. Just got it today. riceone.

[ian27]

Don't know how you manage to get all these lovely rifles!!!!! That sure is a beauty, and one to keep!!!!

Ian

[Niner]

Thanks for posting the pictures. My one and only Arisaka is a pretty poor example however you slice it. My hat is off to you.

[DuncaninFrance]

Here is a stupid question ( I am well known for them ) but why, on a Japanese rifle, are the rear sight distances marked in numbers and not Japanese writing?

[PeterN2]

It looks like a third variation Type 44 bayonet housing grafted on to a Type 2. It looks a little muzzle heavy. Where do you find such rifles?

Regards

Peter

[riceone]

It is heavy on the front, I guess that may have been one reason for not adopting it. It's thought that since this is ser no. 7 and none is know higher, they may have only made 7. As to the question, Duncan, about the aribic numbers, I have know at one time but forgot, will find out and post. I can tell you this that they used a mixture of metric and American Standard threads on their rifles. I took the barrel out two T30's yesterday and both had standard American threads. I have read that when they bought machinery for making rifles and such, if it came from American they used standard threads and if from Europe then metric.

This rifle came out of an old collection in Pennsylvania via a collector friend in Alabama that is selling his collection for him. He and I are friends so when he first got the collection I picked out this rifle, the carbine folder and the T97 sniper. Nice to have friends. riceone.