This is very unusual example of a WWII Japanese Type 38 prototype/test rifle. The rifle receiver, barrel and complete bolt assembly are all "in the white" never blued and never serial numbered. The chamber area is roll marked with the Royal Chrysanthemum (partially intact) with no Kanji markings. The left side of the receiver is only marked with the intertwined cannon balls of the Tokyo Arsenal. The receiver does not have a serial number nor is there any series mark and never has been! The left, rear side of the barrel is correctly stamped with the small circled triangle and capital "S" proof associated with early Tokyo Arsenal manufactured rifles. It has the standard blued barrel bands and trigger guard assembly. It is fitted with the standard full length hardwood stock and handguard. The two interesting aspect is that 1) this rifle is chambered in 7.7 mm Japanese and not the standard 6.5 Japanese cartridge; 2) the toe of the buttplate is "hinged" and about 3 1/2 inches of the center section of the buttstock has been machined out. Inside this machined out area, a 3/8 inch thick steel plate has been screwed into the back of this cutout area somewhat like a reinforcing plate. A 3 inch long hardwood filler block is inserted in behind the plate. The buttplate then fits over the end of the stock to keep everything in place. It is our assumption that this rifle was probably assembled from left over parts at the time they were considering changing from the original "6.5" Japanese cartridge to the more powerful "7.7" Japanese cartridge and that they developed this rifle as a test gun to test what affects the more powerful cartridge would have on the stock. As the reinforcing plate is supporting the stock right at the center line where the two piece stock was joined and they may have considered that as a weak point. The other idea is that it could have also been used to test the effects of some type of spigot grenade launcher that was designed to use the updated "7.7 mm" cartridge. A very interesting rifle in any case.

Very fine in the original white with blue finish on the small parts and as noted the barrel, receiver and complete bolt are all still in their original "in the white" unfinished condition. The stock and handguard are both in very good condition with nice original varnish showing minor handling marks and numerous light dings and gouges in the wood from handling and testing. Mechanically fine. A very interesting rifle this is a real mystery and is certainly worth doing more research on.