Type I Carcano
An interesting hybrid rifle, the Type I is a fusion of the Italian Carcano action to the fittings of a Japanese Arisaka, and is an interesting example of cooperation between the European Axis and the Japanese Empire.
The History
The Type I Rifle would see its genesis in the aftermath of the signing of the Anti-Comintern Pact in 1936, and a 1938 addendum to that involving an improvement of the trade relations between the Kingdom of Italy and the Empire of Japan. By that time, negotiations had already been underway between Japanese and Italian representatives for the production of a rifle in Italy for use by the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces.
The subject of these negotiations was for a rifle that could be issued and used alongside and in the same capacity as the standard issue Type 38 Arisaka rifle. Initial hopes for a complete Italian clone of the Arisaka proved to be impossible, and as an alternative the Italians suggested a variant of their own Carcano M1981 rifle adapted for the Japanese 6.5x50mm cartridge. After the Japanese rejected an offer for rifles with the Carcano’s Mannlicher type en-bloc clip magazine a finalized design was approved, being for all intents and purposes a Type 38 with the receiver and action of a Carcano.
The rear sight of the Type I is basically a clone of the early production Type 38 rear sight, with a v-notch and a ladder sight adjustable up to 2,400 meters
With approval for production, three Italian arsenals were enlisted for the contract: Gardone Val Trompia, Brescia and Beretta, with final inspection and proofing performed at Terni under Japanese supervision. The total number of rifles produced has been lost, but an estimate of 120,000 rifles were produced beginning in December of 1938.
Production was completed in mid 1939, with deliveries to the Japanese forces occurring around this time. Rifles were issued to various forces in China, including the armed forces of puppet regimes set up by the Japanese, as well as various Imperial Japanese Navy units. Others were also issued to garrison forces on the Japanese Home Islands.
The front sight is likewise a copy of the early, unprotected Type 38. Also similar are the cleaning road and the barrel band, which features a lug for a standard Type 30 bayonet
With the Pacific War, the Type I (The letter I, for “Italian” being the accepted designation of the rifle. イ式: Ee-Shiki) has only been confirmed to have seen issue to the Japanese Navy garrison force on the island of Roi-Namur in the Kwajalein Atoll, although scattered reports suggest they were also present in the Philippines and possibly Okinawa in the hands of both the IJA and IJN. Many rifles came into the United States from the Japanese Home Islands after the end of the war.
The action of the Type I, which stands out as being distinctly Italian
The Design
The Type I is, for all intents and purposes, a clone of the Japanese Type 38 Arisaka rifle, specifically the earlier models produced by Koishikawa. The only significant difference is in its receiver and action, which is instead that of an Italian M1891 Carcano. The barrel, sights, bayonet lug, cleaning rod, magazine, stock and sling fittings are all almost identical to the Japanese rifle, with only small differences.
The action is mated with a Mauser-style internal staggered box magazine, and is fed by the same charger clips used by the Japanese rifles, and a guide is milled accordingly into the split rear receiver bridge. The Carcano safety is retained in what would likely be the only major aberration in the manual of arms for a Japanese soldier issued such a weapon, although the Carcano bolt is also forward of the rear bridge, and thus farther forward than the Arisaka rifle.
The cocking piece and safety are another clear indicator of the Carcano heritage of the rifle
Like the earlier production Type 38 rifles, the Type I features a ladder rear sight with a simple v-notch, as well as an unprotected blade front sight. The Japanese trademark two-piece buttstock also makes an appearance, although an Italian style buttplate is fixed as opposed to the Japanese model, indicated by the lack of an upper tang. Likewise, the characteristic Arisaka receiver tangs on the stock wrist are also omitted here.
The rifle is loaded with five 6.5x50mm cartridges via a standard Arisaka charger clip, as opposed to the packet clip used by all other Carcano models
This Example
The example seen here has its serial number in the low “A” range, indicating production at Gardone Val Trompia, possibly in December of 1938 or early 1939. Unlike some rifles, this one has a well finished stock (the rifles were apparently sent to Japan with unfinished furniture, and some were captured at the end of the war in this condition).
The distinctive spliced stock of the Arisaka family is also evident in the Type I. Many can be seen to be separating, a phenomenon not observed by the author on most Japanese produced rifles
Finish overall on this rifle is in excellent condition, with both the bluing of the metal parts and the stock free of major imperfections. This is common on the Type I rifles encountered today, as the aforementioned rear echelon use often resulted in these weapons coming to the United States in nearly new condition. Also of note is the lack of markings aside from the serial number. Unlike domestically produced Arisaka rifles, the Type I's were never marked with the Imperial Chrysanthemum or other major markings, aside from occasional Kanji stamps on the stock, though even these are rare (they are not present on this example).
The action as viewed from above, again showing the Carcano action. Note the charger guides on the rear split bridge, as well as the lack of markings on the receiver
Opinions
The Type I is an interesting rifle that often passes “under the radar” to many collectors of World War II era firearms. The combination of Italian and Japanese features leads to a fascinating rifle, and as the only production variant of the Carcano with a box magazine and charger loading it is also an interesting vision of what might have been with the famous Italian rifles. The fact also remains that the Type I is one of the very few examples of direct cooperation between the European Axis Powers and the Japanese that can be found and owned by the average collector.
In the opinion of the author, the rifle in indeed inferior to the Type 38 it was intended to supplement, but that by no means renders it an unserviceable firearm. The Type 38 is a hard act to follow, and the Type I remains a robust and well made weapon quite worthy of inclusion in the arsenal of any collector today.
Observed Values and Frequency
Updated: February, 2024
AVERAGE VALUE (USD): $400 - $600
FREQUENCY: Uncommon
COLLECTOR’S NOTES: Commonly mislabeled as Arisakas, note the Carcano receiver to quickly tell the difference