Loading Spinner

Japanese Rifles

Japan has been familiar with black-powder weaponry for centuries due to its proximity to China. Still, it took the Japanese some time to significantly invest in firearms and manufacturing.

In 1880, Japan entered the modern arms race with the Murata rifle, a single-shot bolt-action rifle chambered in the 11x60mmR Murata. In 1899, the Arisaka arms manufacturer produced the Type 30 carbine. This began a long tradition of arming the Japanese Empire with Arisaka rifles.

Japan kept up with most European innovations throughout the years and the Arisaka line grew to 10 rifles. Many were carbine variants of full-sized battle rifles. The Type 99 is one of the most common rifles available. Some rare variants can be found in .30-06 and 7.62 mm NATO. These rifles are largely based on Mauser actions, but are much stronger and more appropriate for military service. An interesting feature of Arisaka rifles is the chrome-lined barrel, the first military rifle to introduce this feature. Japanese rifles are stout weapons with historic appeal and interesting design features.


Quick Facts

  • The Japanese Imperial 16-petal chrysanthemum was removed from most captured weapons to maintain the Emperor’s honor
  • The Type 99 rear sight has flip-up anti-aircraft sights, an oddity for a bolt-action infantry rifle
  • Many Japanese rifles were converted to Western calibers due to the scarcity of the Japanese 7.7 mm

Recommended Items at Auction

See all items

Pre WWII Kokura Arsenal Arisaka Type 38 6.5X50mm 19" Barrel Bolt Action Carbine MFD 1923 - 1933 C&R
May 31, 9:00 AM MDT
Pre WWII Kokura Arsenal Arisaka Type 38 6.5X50mm 19" Barrel Bolt Action Carbine MFD 1923 - 1933 C&R
by Lock Stock & Barrel Auctions
Est: $400- $800
$2269 Bids
bp parity badge
Howa Legacy Gamepro 2.0 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle
May 27, 12:00 PM CDT
Howa Legacy Gamepro 2.0 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle
by Gold Standard Auctions
Est: $10- $10,000
$804 Bids
Japanese Contract Italian Type I Carcano 6.5x50mm 31" Barrel Bolt Action Rifle MFD 1938-1939 C&R
May 31, 9:00 AM MDT
Japanese Contract Italian Type I Carcano 6.5x50mm 31" Barrel Bolt Action Rifle MFD 1938-1939 C&R
by Lock Stock & Barrel Auctions
Est: $250- $500
$1704 Bids
Japanese Edo Period Tanegashima Rifle With Matchlock Mechanism
Jun 14, 12:00 PM EDT
Japanese Edo Period Tanegashima Rifle With Matchlock Mechanism
by ZevAntiques
Est: $100- $5,000
$1253 Bids
Last Ditch Nagoya Arsenal Arisaka Type 99 7.7x58mm 25" Bolt Action Rifle MFD 1939 - 1940s C&R
May 31, 9:00 AM MDT
Last Ditch Nagoya Arsenal Arisaka Type 99 7.7x58mm 25" Bolt Action Rifle MFD 1939 - 1940s C&R
by Lock Stock & Barrel Auctions
Est: $300- $600
$202 Bids
Pre WWII Nagoya Arsenal Arisaka Type 38 6.5X50mm 19" Barrel Bolt Action Carbine MFD 1923-1933 C&R
May 31, 9:00 AM MDT
Pre WWII Nagoya Arsenal Arisaka Type 38 6.5X50mm 19" Barrel Bolt Action Carbine MFD 1923-1933 C&R
by Lock Stock & Barrel Auctions
Est: $400- $800
$202 Bids
Japanese Edo Period Tanegashima Rifle With Matchlock Mechanism
Jun 14, 12:00 PM EDT
Japanese Edo Period Tanegashima Rifle With Matchlock Mechanism
by ZevAntiques
Est: $100- $5,000
$752 Bids
Japanese Edo Period Tanegashima Rifle With NO Mechanism
Jun 14, 12:00 PM EDT
Japanese Edo Period Tanegashima Rifle With NO Mechanism
by ZevAntiques
Est: $100- $5,000
$501 Bid
Japanese Arisaka Type 99 6.5X50mm Blanks 31.5” Trainer Bolt Action Rifle MFD 1930 - 1945 C&R
May 31, 9:00 AM MDT
Japanese Arisaka Type 99 6.5X50mm Blanks 31.5” Trainer Bolt Action Rifle MFD 1930 - 1945 C&R
by Lock Stock & Barrel Auctions
Est: $250- $500
$101 Bid
Japanese Meiji Teppo Musket
May 21, 10:00 AM CDT
Japanese Meiji Teppo Musket
by Revere Auctions
Est: $300- $600
$1501 Bid
Arisaka Type 38 Smooth Bore Blank Cartridge Only 27" School Training Rifle MFD 1920s - 1940s C&R
May 31, 9:00 AM MDT
Arisaka Type 38 Smooth Bore Blank Cartridge Only 27" School Training Rifle MFD 1920s - 1940s C&R
by Lock Stock & Barrel Auctions
Est: $250- $500
$100 Bids
Hayashi Arsenal Type 38 Arisaka 8mm Blank 32” Bolt Action Training Rifle MFD 1930s - 1940s C&R
May 31, 9:00 AM MDT
Hayashi Arsenal Type 38 Arisaka 8mm Blank 32” Bolt Action Training Rifle MFD 1930s - 1940s C&R
by Lock Stock & Barrel Auctions
Est: $250- $500
$100 Bids
bp parity badge
SPORTERIZED JAPANESE TYPE 38 ARISAKA CARBINE
Jun 14, 9:00 AM EDT
SPORTERIZED JAPANESE TYPE 38 ARISAKA CARBINE
by Centurion Auctions
Est: $100- $300
$700 Bids
bp parity badge
1942 JAPANESE TOYO KOGYO TYPE 99 ARISAKA RIFLE
Jun 14, 9:00 AM EDT
1942 JAPANESE TOYO KOGYO TYPE 99 ARISAKA RIFLE
by Centurion Auctions
Est: $200- $400
$1500 Bids
bp parity badge
SPORTERIZED JAPANESE TYPE 38 6.5mm CALIBER RIFLE
Jun 14, 9:00 AM EDT
SPORTERIZED JAPANESE TYPE 38 6.5mm CALIBER RIFLE
by Centurion Auctions
Est: $200- $400
$1500 Bids
Japanese Type 99 Arisaka Bolt Action Rifle by Nagoya
May 31, 9:00 AM EDT
Japanese Type 99 Arisaka Bolt Action Rifle by Nagoya
by Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc.
Est: $800- $1,200
$5500 Bids
bp parity badge
NIKKO GOLDEN EAGLE MODEL 7000 7mm REM MAG RIFLE
Jun 14, 9:00 AM EDT
NIKKO GOLDEN EAGLE MODEL 7000 7mm REM MAG RIFLE
by Centurion Auctions
Est: $400- $600
$3000 Bids
Post WWI Arisaka Model 1905 .31.5" Non Firing Training Bolt Action Rifle MFD 1920s - 1940s C&R
May 31, 9:00 AM MDT
Post WWI Arisaka Model 1905 .31.5" Non Firing Training Bolt Action Rifle MFD 1920s - 1940s C&R
by Lock Stock & Barrel Auctions
Est: $250- $500
$100 Bids
(X) Japanese Type 38 6.5 mm Rifle
Jun 21, 9:30 AM EDT
(X) Japanese Type 38 6.5 mm Rifle
by Old Barn Auction
Est: $40- $1,000
$200 Bids
U.S. Repeating Arms Model 1895 Lever Action Rifle by Miroku
May 31, 9:00 AM EDT
U.S. Repeating Arms Model 1895 Lever Action Rifle by Miroku
by Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc.
Est: $800- $1,200
$5500 Bids
Japanese Tanegashima Matchlock Musket
May 31, 9:00 AM EDT
Japanese Tanegashima Matchlock Musket
by Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc.
Est: $800- $1,200
$5500 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Japanese Rifles


Centurion Auctions

Centurion Auctions

Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc.

Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc.