Customer Reviews

Japanese Rifles of World War II

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Duncan McCollum has written a fine treatment of a sometimes confusing subject. He not only clears up sticking points for beginning collectors but illuminates much needed information for anyone interested in Japanese rifles used during the Second World War. His detailed charts on Japanese rifle manufacturers, the arsenal marks, and series characters will be especially valuable to beginning collectors. His coverage of the history of Japanese wartime rifles and the many transitions of the weapons throughout WWII is well presented and reflects the author's passion for the subject. Brief sections on Japanese bayonets and slings are an added bonus. For the seasoned collector or raw beginner, this excellent, concise work on Japanese WWII rifles will serve as an outstanding reference for years to come.

This is a good, although short book on the subject of Japanese World War II rifles. Each model that I am aware of is covered. The data offered is based on the author's examination of a large number of various models of Japanese rifles. The book is well organized, I wa able to find information on the rifle I own with ease. The information is limited on any one model of rifle due, according to Mr. McCollum, to the extensive damage to the factories and the resulting limited lack of records caused by the aerial bombing campaign.

This is a very well written, concise book on Japanese Rifles. If you need to simply identify a rifle or you are doing some research, this is an excellent single source. It's also priced right!

This is an excellent book for collectors who are gonna identify any japanese rifle producted between 1905 and 1945.
There is a large range of pictures and images which help the reader to understand all the marks of production of any arsenal.
Unfortunately informations about Arisaka rifles are narrow , because all the documents about the production of those rifles was destructed under the bombings during the war.
There is nothing better for a collector approaching to japanese rifles.

This is a short book but packs more useful information about WW-II Japanese Rifles into every page an books of much larger bulk. Reasonably priced and a very good value. If you collect or are interested in Japanese rifles this is a must have book

i am not a japanese collector, but i have found that this book has given me the basic knowledge to shop for japanese rifles with much more knowledge. this impression is in line with what much more knowledgeable collectors in this area have told me.

Clint Eastwood, as Police Inspector Harry Callahan, popularized Smith and Wesson's Model 29 revolver in .44 Magnum as "the most powerful gun in the world!" Sales skyrocketed as collectors and shooters scrambled to get one.

As a director, Eastwood's two films about the World War II battle for Iwo Jima seem to have sparked collector interest in Japanese rifles. This is long overdue, in my opinion.

The Arisaka rifle which served Imperial Japan during World War II is an interesting, historical artifact of the war which shaped the world we know. And, some Arisakas are capable of excellent shooting if they are in good condition.

The author was born on Saipan and has had a life long interest in Japanese militaria, especially rifles. His writing is easy to read and accurate insofar as I can determine.

The book is well illustrated by black and white photographs and line drawings and enhanced by sections on bayonets, slings and an excellent bibliographic essay. The book is well laid out and easy to read. Its value as a quick reference would be improved by the addition of a good index, but I guess you can't have eggs in your beer all the time.

McCollum credits the older MILITARY RIFLES OF JAPAN by Fred L. Honeycutt, Jr., and F. Patt Anthony for much of his material. He's focused his own JAPANESE RIFLES OF WORLD WAR II on Arisakas, the Type I rifle as well as improving the somewhat cumbersome format of the older book. And, he's added new material.

For most collectors who want to go beyond the occasional article in a gun magazine, or the chapter on Japanese small arms in Smith and Smith's SMALL ARMS OF THE WORLD, McCollum's book will be perfect. Although you're not going to find anything about the origins of firearms production in Japan, or such 19th century rifles as the Muratas, you will find good, reliable information about the rifles you're likely to see in Clint Eastwood's films about Iwo Jima, the Arisakas.

If you want more depth and more history, try to find a copy of Honeycutt and Anthony's MILITARY RIFLES OF JAPAN. For most of us, however, McCollum's JAPANESE RIFLES OF WORLD WAR II is perfect.

I like this book and gave it five stars.

This is a great little book full of information on Japanese Rifles. It's not as detailed as Military Rifles of Japan but comes in second place for Japanese Rifle Collectors must have books.

I didn't know anything about Japanese Military rifles from WWII. The internet quickly lead me to this book as the most practical guide. It is. You can quickly get your knowledge base up to speed. I use it as a reference now. It's decently laid out with most of the information you need.

I used a Japanese Type 44 Carbine and Hornady Ammo to shoot a doe last week. I think Japanese Rifles, available now at gunshows for 200.00 or less, are going to increase rapidly in value. I was surprised at how well they shot. Nice to have this book as a guide.

If you have an interest in Japanese rifles you need this book. It will help you know what you have and what is correct and what is not.