Any Carcano or Arisaka lovers here?

[Pector55]

The next two rifles in my collection will hopefully be a decent Arisaka and a Carcano. I'm reading up on the various models because unlike the Mosins, Enfields, K98s, and Garands, these two rifles seem a little more difficult for me to locate. I want to be sure that I get something decent.

I know about the mum on the Arisaka but what are the best models to find in the Arisaka?

How about the Carcano?

I'm doing my own net searches but I thought I would ask here too in case some of you are collectors, maybe someone is selling something, or maybe I'll just find some good tips.

[jm1972]

I have an Arisaka rifle, all of the markings including the mum are intact. My father lost the magazine and bayonet when we moved to our first house (I was 2 months old...36 years ago). No idea what it is worth and I have never fired it..I used it as a toy when I was a kid. Every once in a while I think of selling or trading it, but then end up changing my mind.

[Hawki72]

Here are a couple of Carcano sights that I like:

http://personal.stevens.edu/~gliberat/carcano
http://www.surplusrifle.com/carcano9138/index.asp
http://parallaxscurioandrelicfirearm...fle-Forum.html

I have had a hard time finding them too and finally bought one through an auction last week.

Hawki72

[Pector55]

Originally Posted by jm1972

I have an Arisaka rifle, all of the markings including the mum are intact. My father lost the magazine and bayonet when we moved to our first house (I was 2 months old...36 years ago). No idea what it is worth and I have never fired it..I used it as a toy when I was a kid. Every once in a while I think of selling or trading it, but then end up changing my mind.

Most that I have seen are rather beaten up. Those in decent shape and those with the mum are asking for a lot of money on Gunbroker but interestingly, not many folks bid on them.

I want one more for an occassional shooter. I like the idea of breaking out all the WWII guns with the buddies just to do a little history lesson and comparing of accuracy, recoil, feel, etc. Perhaps a mad minute with each to see who can do the best with which bolt.

[wizzegun]

Jarrod aka JarJarBinks on surplusrifleforum.com in the Japanese section is the goto guy for Arisaka info. He is the one who has the Japanese display at the York show.

[egon12]

Arisakas are like potato chips you just can't have one. I agree that Jarrod is the local expert in south central PA, and he is the go to guy for arisaka questions. The most common arisakas that I have seen are the type 99's. These can vary from the early models with monopod, anti-aircraft sight, chrome lined bore, cleaning rod, and dust cover, to the "last ditch" type 99 which are very crude in manufacture. You also have the type 38 and type 44 rifles and carbines that predate the type 99. All are good to have when you can find them for a good price. If you want to start a collection in arasakas I would also recommend picking up the Fred Honeycut's book Military Rifles of Japan. It is the "bible" of Arisaka collectors, and is packed full of information that will help you in your search.

As for carcanos I do not too much. I do have a lonely M-91 in the back of my safe but that is the extent of my knowledge.

Since both the arisakas and carcanos are not in the surplus chain that will crop up in gun auctions, and estates from time to time. The local auction houses that have gun sales on a regular basis are Horst in Ephrata, Wherly's in Jacobus. With some luck and knowledege you will find what you are looking for. Good Luck in your search.

[Pector55]

Originally Posted by egon12

Arisakas are like potato chips you just can't have one. I agree that Jarrod is the local expert in south central PA, and he is the go to guy for arisaka questions. Good Luck in your search.

Thanks for the tips. I have seen that it appears Arisakas are much more difficult to find than a lot of other WWII rifles. When you do find them, they are pretty beat up. I also read up about them, duffle cuts, the various arsenals, and how to ID them. I'm just hoping to find one of the Arisaka and Carcano and right now Gunbroker seems to be the best option.

Thanks for the insight.

[Garpman]

Agree, you must sign up for surplusrifle.com and look at the respective sections.

There seems to be a big controversy over the mum and if it is more "rare", then rifles with a ground mum. No one is bidding on the rifles on GB you mentioned, because they are most likely inflated beyond reason (like many things on GB are). The reason as to why they were ground is also controversial. The common belief is that Gen. MacArthur ordered them to be ground, but there is info and evidence on surplusrifle that suggests otherwise.

Reading through there (especially posts from JarJar) will get you more info than you can handle.

I have one all matching, ground mum Type 99 that I have not fired yet. I paid $120 for it, but had it valued by JarJar at over $300 (because of the matching numbers). The general concensus is that matching numbers on any milsurp is the second most (next to condition) desirable and value determinant.

Good luck.

[Pector55]

I found this cool link on Surplusrifle. http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/japanese_markings.html

Great info on the markings in case anyone is interested or happens to search for Arisaka in the future.

[wizzegun]

I carry a copy of that in my gun show bag. It comes in handy. After awhile you actually learn the markings but it still doesn't hurt to have it with you.

You are doing the right thing....read read read. BUT be aware that you will come across some myths about the Arisaka. Such as the dust cover was thrown away by the soldiers cuz it was noisy. Ask Jarrod about that one if you want to see a rant. hehe And also about the "last ditch" rifles. While I would not shoot the rifles Japan was making in July and Aug '45, the late war "transitional" rifles are still good shooters. Again Jarrod would be a better source of info. I know by sight what I would feel comfortable with.