Guns International #: 101777908
Seller's Inventory #: AL7138

This experimental Japanese Murata fixed box magazine rifle is most likely unique. The Japanese began experimenting with box fed magazine rifles around October, 1885. The experimentation continued until March, 1889, when the Type 22 with its under barrel tube magazine was adopted. The top of the chamber of this box magazine rifle is numbered 1. The overall length is approx. 48.25"". The 30"" barrel has an excellent bore with bright, strong rapid twist rifling. The caliber is most likely 8mm Japanese as found on the Type 22 rifles. The gun has approx. 95% blue with the butt plate being faded. The cleaning rod and bolt are bright. The ladder rear sight is graduated from 30 to 80 on the side and 9 to 22 on the leaf. The left side of the receiver is marked in script ""Fusil a repetition Mourata"" over ""a 5 coups"" with the magazine box having ""anee 1887"". This translates from French to Murata repeating rifle with 5 shots in the year 1887. It is unclear whether this is an original marking or whether it was added at a later date by a Frenh museum. The left side of the receiver is equipped with a sliding magazine cut off. The two piece stock is very good with various storage nicks and dings. It is unmarked. The nose cap, with bayonet lug, is very similar to the early Type 22 Murata rifle nose cap. The rifle is equipped with a functioning grip safety. The actin functions correctly. This interesting and most unusual Murata rifle is fit for the most advanced collection of Japanese rifles or early magazine rifles.