Manufactured in limited quantities, the Type 1 Paratrooper Carbine was an early attempt to address the issues with air-dropping infantry in contested territory. Prior doctrine called for the use of conventional weapons loaded into drop pods, which would be recovered on the ground by the parachute unit. Much like the experiences of the German Fallschirmjaegers in Crete, this was sound on paper but in practice trying to play hide and seek with your rifle while the enemy tries to kill you is neither fun nor tactically sound. The Type 1 design is a variation on the Type 38 carbine typically seen in the 4000-5200 serial range, with alterations to the receiver, trigger guard and stock to accommodate a "door hinge" folding mechanism at the wrist, which brings the length down to about 26 1/2 inches, suitable for stowing in a drop bag on the paratrooper themselves and ready for action in seconds. Prone to cracking or damage in the hinge area, the design was phased out in favor of the more robust Type 2 rifle. Blade front and folding ladder rear sights, with an untouched mum and Type 38 nomenclature on the receiver ring. The blackened steel hinge is installed just behind the trigger guard, with a smooth stock and a cupped metal buttplate.

Fine, with 75% of the original blue finish, showing some areas of mild pitting, a brown patina on the magazine floorplate and trigger guard, and mild handling marks overall. The hinge hardware retains about 60% of a correct black enamel finish, with flaking and areas of brown patina. The stock shows some cracking and chipping around the hinge, and generally shows wear, tear and scuffing appropriate to field use. The replacement bolt is numbered to another firearm, and the carbine is in need of mechanical adjustment as the bolt locks up after dry firing. A scarce weapon, often missing from collections of World War II Japanese military arms.