This is a very nice example of a late production Type 97 sniper rifle as manufactured by the Chigusa factory of Nagoya Arsenal. These late production type 97 rifles were produced all the way until the end of the war with the highest noted serial number being approximately 14,040. The top of the receiver is marked with the Chrysanthemum, which is still present but has two chisel marks though it (indicating it was probably surrendered instead of just being captured at the end of the war) over the Kanji markings for Type 97. The left side of the receiver is marked with the serial number and the fighting fish symbol of the Nagoya Arsenal. The scope base is correctly screwed and pinned to the left side of the receiver which mounts the earlier small "2.5 power" Japanese sniper scope. The top rear section of the scope is marked on the rear eyepiece, "2.5 X10" over the manufacturers symbol (which is a circle with an inverted triangle inside) over No.2599 and it is numbered 6351 on the back side of the mounting plate. The rifle has the late production rough cast barrel bands, receiver and barrel assembly with no provisions for the Monopod on the lower band. The sights are the late style with the long staff graduated to 2400 meters with the peep rear sight with no provisions for the anti-aircraft wings with the inverted "V" front with guards. The stock is the correct two piece version with the short handguard and the cupped buttplate.

Partially refinished (stock) with approximately 95% of the original blue finish with slight wear and thinning on the barrel, top of the receiver and general edges and high spots. The stock and handguard have been heavily sanded on the sides removing the manufacturers marks with a nice aged varnish overall. The scope has good optics that you can see through with several of the typical specks inside, some larger than others with 90% plus of the paint remaining overall. It has matching parts on the bolt and front barrel band and as noted the chrysanthemum is intact but has two chisel marks across the face.