FNA Brescia Type I Carcano–Arisaka 6.5x50mm Bolt-Action Rifle, Imperial Japanese Navy Contract, Sporterized, 18.5 in Barrel
Italian-made by Fabbrica Nazionale d'Armi (FNA) for the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1938–1939, this Type I rifle combines a Carcano-derived bolt with a Mauser-type 5-round internal magazine and stripper-clip loading. This example has been thoughtfully sporterized with an 18.5-inch barrel and a shortened fore-end. It retains hallmark features such as the barrel-mounted tangent rear sight graduated 10–24, a dovetailed front blade without protective ears, the FNA monogram on the bolt root, and an H-series serial prefix on the barrel shank.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Fair - Generally clean, some residue or smudges, slight corrosion.
Bore Fouling: Severe Fouling - Extensive corrosion, pitting, or erosion.
Bore Rifling: Poor Rifling - Rifling heavily worn or filled with fouling or debris.
Specific Condition Notes: The action functions properly, and the striker releases with strength. The magazine baseplate is not hinged to the rifle. The hardwood stock shows blemishes and scratches consistent with use but is not cracked; it retains the traditional Japanese-style two-piece buttstock construction. The blued finish shows a consistent layer of light pitting throughout. The bore appears dark with widespread blemishes, and the rifling shows chipping and scratches.
What’s Included
- Black web sling, installed
Produced by FNA in Brescia for the Imperial Japanese Navy, the Type I is a contract rifle that blends Italian Carcano bolt design with a Mauser-type, flush 5-round internal magazine. It feeds via stripper clips, reflecting the hybrid Carcano–Arisaka concept specified by Japan. This example carries an H-series serial prefix on the left barrel shank and the FNA monogram on the bolt root, matching known production details from the 1938–1939 period.
This rifle has been sporterized. The barrel has been shortened to 18.5 inches, the fore-end has been trimmed, and the original top handguard, barrel bands, and bayonet hardware have been removed. The handguard is absent by design of the sporterization, yielding a clean barrel profile while preserving the rifle's core operating system and internal magazine configuration.
Sighting equipment remains in place, with a barrel-mounted tangent/ladder rear sight ahead of the receiver, graduated from 10 to 24, and a dovetailed front blade without protective ears. The controls include a Carcano-style rear safety on the cocking piece. The internal magazine and floorplate are flush and integrated with the trigger guard.
The hardwood stock follows the Japanese two-piece buttstock style and includes bottom sling swivels, a straight wrist, and a steel buttplate. Length of pull is 14.0 inches. The rifle is chambered in 6.5x50mm Japanese with a 5-round capacity, and it wears a blued finish.