One of the less common Japanese rifles of the WWII era is the Type I (pronounced “Type Eye”). The Japanese Imperial Army and Navy procured small arms independently of each other, and the Army received priority as the ground war in China escalated. This left the Navy short of rifles and unable to get them from domestic producers, so they turned to Italy. A contract was signed ordering tens of thousands of Type I rifles (the exact quantity is unclear – most sources say 60,000, but the serial number range would suggest more than double that number).
The rifle was based on a Carcano receiver and bolt, but otherwise configured like a Type 38 Arisaka. For a thorough still-photo comparison between the two rifles, take a look at Teri’s excellent page on the Type I at Nambu World.
The Type I rifle was produced by Italy for the Japanese Empire prior to World War II. After the invasion of China, all Arisaka production was required for use of the Imperial Army, so under the terms of the Anti-Comintern Pact, the Imperial Navy contracted with Italy for this weapon in 1937. The Type I is based on the Type 38 rifle and utilizes a Carcano action, but retains the Arisaka/Mauser type 5-round box magazine. The Type I was utilized primarily by Japanese Imperial Naval Forces. It is chambered for the 6.5 x 50 mm cartridge. Approximately 120,000 Type I rifles were produced by Italian arsenals for Japan between 1937 through 1939.
Some speculate that more than 60,000 Type I rifles may have been produced, based on the number of serial number prefixes (A thru L or 12 prefixes) and assuming all four serial numbers (0000 to 9999) were used in production (12 prefixes * 10,000 serial numbers = 120,000 possible Type I rifles). According to “Military Rifles of Japan” (1996) by Fred Honeycutt and F. Patt Anthony (H&A, page 144), it is known that some prefix series did not reach 9999 and only prefixes “A” to “L” have been observed (and they appear to follow alphabetical order per arsenal). According to the American Rifleman article “Type I Not Made in Japan” (Vol. 119, No. 12, December 1971), only 60,000 Type I rifles were produced by Italian arsenals for Japan.
I’ve got H227
My Type I is clearly the best made/finished Carcano I have in my collection. This is another affordable oddity for those attracted to having something a little different in their collection. Since most of the ones that made it to the US are in VG or better condition (if not unissued), you can afford to be picky on condition.
good afternoon. I have a Arisaka Type I i just inherited from my father who acquired his rifle off the Japanese in WWII. He disassembled the rifle when we were in the Philippines in order to prevent the Marcos government from confiscating all privately held guns. In the process the screws that hold the barrel to the stock were lost/misplaced/disappeared at least over time. I have been looking for the screws/bolts and the gun smith I have been working with has also been looking. Is it possible for you to take pictures and meausurements so that I can get some custom bolts made and make this firearm usable again?
I am curious as to know what type of sling it uses. I am trying to find a sling for mine, and I am not sure if a type 38 arisaka sling would work.
From what I have read, the Italians did not provide slings or bayonets to the Japanese. It would go without saying that M38 slings would have been the choice since Type I rifles were patterned on the Japanese rifle.
i found one in a antique shop in mamaroneck New York payed one hundred dollars love it my favorite rifle
im looking for a bolt for a type I can you help me?
I am looking for an extractor for type i???
Check eBay. Leather with either a brass ( early) or iron buckle.
I picked up a type I at a gun show. I was told it was a captured rifle. It has red and yellow striped paint on the end of the barrel stock and has 2nd Plt painted in white on the buttstock.
Does anyone have any information on the history of this use/paint?
Will the interior parts of a standard Carcano bolt fit the type eye bolt? I have serial #L1669 (PB crown) with proper bolt body-extractor. Need everything else to make rifle fire a round.
Yes the other parts will fit. I just did this myself, since the Type I that I bought a couple of weeks ago has something goofed up with the firing pin and cocking piece. They are apparently stuck together, but the firing pin is not completely screwed in, which means that the firing pin spring is not fully compressed, and strikes on the primers are weak. A new (to me) cocking piece/firing pin assembly (I actually bought a complete bolt) solved the problem. The bolt was a standard Carcano bolt.
I should also say that “minor fitting may be required”. I tried four different firing pin assemblies. Two of them fit perfectly, the other two would have needed slight modification (filing) of the retaining lug on the safety.
I have a proof marking (AS in a box) that I can’t find. I’ve looked. But I’m probably blind. I was hoping you could help me find it.
Is there any way to determine which rifles were made by Beretta?
Yes. Remove the bbl from the stock. You will find a mfg stamp on the underside.
Giovanni Chegia & Alberto Simonelli write in “The Model 1891 Carcano Rifle” (C&S page 170), that Type I production by serial number prefix was: prefixes “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, “E”, and “F” were made at the Gardone VT arsenal, with 30,000 to 60,000 units produced (50% of the total production run). Serial number prefixes “G”, “H”, and “I” (and some “J” prefixed serial numbers because of an overrun) were produced at Fabbrica Nazionale d’Armi di Brescia (FNA Brescia), with 15,000 to 30,000 Type I’s produced (25% of the total production run). Finally, serial number prefixes “J”, “K”, and “L” were made at Beretta, with 15,000 to 30,000 Type I rifles made (25% of the contract total).
There will be a BP stamp on the end of the bolt handle.
Will the Carcano safety work as a replacement on a Type I bolt?
The Type I that my dad brought back from WWII is complete EXCEPT the FRONT SIGHT BLADE is missing. Anyone know where to find that part?
I just snagged one of these at a local small gun show. The dealer didnt know what he had. Scooped it up for $245.00 out the door. Cant really find anything for pricing on these. What do they typically bring?
Above $500 at Gunbroker for a VG Type I Carcano.
I got a Type I from my grandpa and it had no bolt, I don’t know where to find one, would like to find one because the serial number on mine is B96, so if anyone could tell me where to buy one that would be great.
Craig-The type I bolt is the same as a Carcano 6.5 mm rifle bolt from WW 2 era. I replaced a missing bolt for a type I last year with a gun show purchased regular bolt(straight bolt handle) for $45.00. Not pristine, but cleaned up fine. Good luck on your search. Try e-Bay, or Sarco.com as well. Bob
Nice low serial number from Gardone VT Arsenal probably made in 1938.
Carcano bolts are never numbered because they are interchangeable. Unfortunately, they are not interchangeable between the Type I and other Carcanoes because of the different calibers. Look at Gunbroker.
Hello as far as the standard bolt working no it will not work in the type (eye).The reason it will not work with the standard carcano bolt on the underside of the standard bolt as you are looking at it turn over the cut for the extractor is on the left side.The type (eye) extractor is cut in the middle of the bolt.So as far as a standard bolt working someone is smoking something good.
Hello on the standard carcano bolt turned upside down the extractor for is on the RIGHT side sorry for the screw up.
I have a type I Arisaka that my grandfather brought back from World War II. It took us forever to figure out what exactly it was…. my uncle and I spent many hours of research. It was hard because there were no markings, and my grandfather had it sporterized when he got back…. so they changed all the wood and sights on it. My question is this though, I know there were a few different manufacturers, is there any way to tell by the serial number, who manufactured it? Thank you for any and all help.
Type I production by serial number prefix was: prefixes “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, “E”, and “F” were made at the Gardone VT arsenal, with 30,000 to 60,000 units produced (50% of the total production run). Serial number prefixes “G”, “H”, and “I” (and some “J” prefixed serial numbers because of an overrun) were produced at Fabbrica Nazionale d’Armi di Brescia (FNA Brescia), with 15,000 to 30,000 Type I’s produced (25% of the total production run). Finally, serial number prefixes “J”, “K”, and “L” were made at Beretta, with 15,000 to 30,000 Type I rifles made (25% of the contract total).
Any idea where I can get a full stock and hardware for a type I. My uncle gave it to me 40 years ago, but stock was cut short to make it look cool. Big mistake. I would like to rebuild it to original if possible. Any help greatly appreciated
Hi I got one I paid 250.00 for I thought I was buying a type 38 stock…the stock is beautiful..
Gunbroker is a good guess.
Before I get one, were the bores chrome-lined like other arisakas?
No, they are not.
Hi Y’all,
Are the Type I’s safer to shoot than the Carcano’s?
Unless they’ve been badly damaged by Bubba,
Carcanos have a very well designed and well made breech system.
Case head and primer support is better than many contemporary and later rifles, for example the American M1903 and the rifles derived from it, including current production Winchester Model 70.
There are pictures of blown up carcanos. They are not evidence of weakness or danger.
Dave Emary, the Ballistician at Hornaday, gave an account of producing one. I believe that a carcano was used because it was cheap to get hold of.
Attempts at blowing it up with cases full of fast pistol powder all failed. He had to resort to using a case full of plastic explosives to get the old rifle to burst, so its photo could be used to promote safe handloading practices…
Hardly an example of truth in advertising.
There are several threads on forums, posted by “copperlake”
He was using case full loads of .30-06 and 8×56, with fast powders behind 220 grain bullets through a 6.5mm bore, without blowing up the gun
He even moved on to firing case full of fast powder loads of 35 Remington through a 6.5mm barrel, again, the old Carcano withstood the abuse.
I just got one from a auction house for $250.00..Its unmolested and also has the cleaning rod intact. Very pleased with it. I rate it about 80 to 90 %
How do they rate in vale ?
I also have one but was sporterized, have some odd inscriptions on the magazine plate that could be Japanese? My question is my bolt lays down vs out is that correct? A8476 serial
if the bolt doesent sit straight out, then it has been bent, or somewhat sporterized.