Murata Meji 18th Year Type
Japanese Murata Meji 18th Year Type single shot infantry rifle, also known as Murata M.1885. It was built by Koishikawa, Tokyo Imperial Arsenal.
Type 18 was a farther development of Type 13 Murata, which was the first Japanese designed and built breech loading rifle.
The rifle design was clearly influenced by Gras, Mauser and Beaumont rifles. It was a result of the Major Tsuneyoshi Murata trip to Europe and his visits to the major gun factories there.
The rifle was manufactured without a safety.
The matching numbers are stamped on the receiver, barrel, barrel bands, nosecap, buttplate, rear sights and on the trigger guard. Bolt displays a different number. No serial numbers are stamped on all the remaining parts of the rifle, which is correct for this model.
The Imperial Chrysanthemum is still present on the chamber. Several Japanese characters are also stamped on the left side of the receiver, ("Great Nippon Empire Murata Rifle", "Tokyo Military Arsenal for Firearms"). The right side of the receiver displays also some Japanese characters, ("Meji Eighteenth Year").
The right side of the buttstock displays a fading cartouche. Ramp and leaf rear sight graduated to 1500 meter.
One piece walnut stock with straight wrist. Two military style sling swivels. Bayonet lug is located on the right side of the front barrel band.
Overall length is 50.5 inch.
Barrel length is 32 inch.
Many thanks to "COLLECTIBLEFIRARMS" for these very nice pictures.
