This is a very nice example of an early WWII Japanese Type 97 sniper rifle complete with the 2.5X sniper scope, an original canvas scope can and sling. This rifle was produced at the Chigusa factory under Nagoya Arsenal. The top of the receiver is marked with the Royal Chrysanthemum (partially removed) over the Japanese Kana markings for "Type 97". The rear sight has the long staff without the anti-aircraft wings and the rear barrel band has no provisions for a monopod block. The buttstock is the two-piece type without drain holes but with a short hand guard and flat steel buttplate. The top rear section of the scope is marked: "2.5 X 10 (degrees)/NTC/KOGAKU/No.26860" with rifle serial number "1485" stamped on the side of the scope mount.

Very good as assembled/refinished with 90% of the refinished blue overall and a gray/brown patina on the trigger guard and floor plate. As noted the Chrysanthemum was partially removed when it was reblued. The rifle is an original sniper. However, the bolt is a replacement with the handle bent down and renumbered to match and the tip of the small spring inside the scope base has broken off. The stock and handguard are both in very good condition having been sanded and restained showing an old dark reddish color overall with minor handing marks on the sides of the stock. The scope retains 95% of its original black painted finish overall with moderately clear optics. The case and strap are both in good condition with nice color overall and tight stitching. A representative example of a refinished Japanese Type 97 sniper rifle.