Here is one you don't see every day!

[LarryHoosier]

This is my M1885 type 18 Japanese Murata long rifle. They are scarce and one intact such as this are even more rare! Here are more pics for the obsolete and hard-to-collect lovers out there.

The mum is even still untouched on this rifle and the bore looks like new.

 

[Pooty22]

Awesome piece of history you have there!

 

[223 Gunner]

Cool. Do you know what caliber that is?

 

[johntheplinker]

WOW! That is one rare bird! In the last pic, are the two holes gas vents in the top of the receiver?

 

[LarryHoosier]

Caliber is 11mm Murata, very close to 11mm French Gras in dimensions. In fact, I use fire-formed Gras (Bertram) brass to load for it. Yes, the two holes are to jet away gas in the event of a case rupturing. This rifle was a Japanese attempt to duplicate European single shooters of the day such as the Gras and '71 Mauser.

 

[The Bubba Effect]

Very cool rifle. How did you find it? (if you want to keep your secrets, it's understandable)

 

[Psode27]

Very cool! Thanks for posting!

 

[CarnageRush]

Sweet piece.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Very nice Larry! I had never seen one of these before and that one looks to be in amazing condition.

 

[hrearden]

Pretty cool, bud. Never knew they existed.

 

[trophyhunter]

Larry you really have one of the holy grails of collectibles there, it's impressive to say the least. I would love to fire a round in that rifle, just to say I had the privilege of having done so. One of these days we all need to get together for a an old/rare/scarce as hen's teeth range day to add to our memories collection. There's just no way lover's of old iron can possibly own and collect it all anymore.

Thanks for sharing that, I can only imagine what the serious Japanese collector's would give to have that back on the Island.

 

[LarryHoosier]

I found this one in California. I usually like to find my guns at a show or dealer so that I can look hands-on at the item. I had dealt with this dealer before and trust his judgement. Yes, trophyhunter a get together to shoot would be good. Have you ever heard of "Shutzenfest" at Delphos, Ohio? The guys over at Surplusriflesforum.com do it twice a year. I went 4 or 5 years ago and had a great time. Maybe we could get some like-minded obsolete and antique addicts together for a shoot sometime in the future. I shoot at Atterbury Shooting Complex in Edinburgh, IN most of the time but I would go anywhere within reason.
I can update the thread a bit. The wife and I shot the Murata for the first time today (52 degrees and sunny!). It has a beautiful trigger and shot about 12" high as expected. I forgot to take my chronograph so I'm not certain but nice mild load about 1300 fps.