"Unicorn" arisaka trainer: a 38 Type Nambu Gun

[burb1989]

Hey all. Here's one I came into not too long ago. I found it at a small gun show not far down the street from my house on a friend's table. I recognized the unique bolt release and style of safety as being for a 7/8 scale child's trainer and bought it thinking that was what it was. However after showing it to many other collectors, one of which specializes in a way with training rifles and is recording them, they identified it as a much rarer trainer known as a 38 Type Nambu gun which was sold very briefly in between the 7/8 child trainer and the type 38 drill gun. To my surprise they also said that mine is only the sixth ever to be found and reported. What strikes me about it is that it has an original rope sling and a near perfect school marking and rack number (the marking was translated as Daiwa Youth School). Though it can't fire a live round it is without a doubt my rarest milsurp alongside my Indochinois berthier short rifle. Hope you guys like it as much as I do.

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[ffuries]

Interesting, never seen one before, guess I've got some reading to do!

[burb1989]

Interesting, never seen one before, guess I've got some reading to do!

You and me both. This one's not even mentioned in Military Rifles of Japan at all. Aside from the uniqueness of it I've only found one reference to it and it is a copy of the original add selling them back in the 20s. Apparently it will only fit a very unique bayonet just like the 7/8 child's trainer. Here's the add I have on it.

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[millman]

Congrats on your rare find.

[Lavitias]

Military Arms Channel just did a video about these today haha. Explaining how the whole exploding Arisaka myth began.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaznkI2yF7s