The Japanese Mexican Rifle — The Mexican Type 38 ArisakaIn the early 20th century Mexico was u

The Japanese Mexican Rifle — The Mexican Type 38 ArisakaIn the early 20th century Mexico was undergoing an era of reform, modernization, and expansion under the presidency (dictatorship) of Porfirio Diaz. One reform was the expansion and modernization of the army, which involved increased purchasing and production of arms. At the time the standard service rifle of the Mexican Army was the bolt action Mauser chambered for 7x57mm.  Despite indigenous production and foreign imports, more was needed.  In 1910 Diaz turned to one of the most unexpected places for weapons.In the early 20th century Japan was on very good diplomatic terms with Mexico.  Mexico was the first Latin American nation to sign a treaty with Japan, and Mexico had a number of military advisers stationed with the Japanese Imperial Army.  Using his influence within the Japanese government, Diaz was able to secure a contract for Japanese rifles.The rifles that were produced was the Japanese Type 38 Arisaka bolt action rifle, which was adopted as the standard service rifle of the Japanese Imperial Army in 1905 and continued to be used until the end of World War II.  While the original version was chambered for the standard Japanese service caliber (6.5x50mm), the Mexican contract Type 38 was chambered for 7x57mm, then the standard caliber of the Mexican Army. Produced at the Koishikowa Arsenal, the Mexican Type 38’s featured the Mexican crest with “Republica Mexicana” stamped on the receiver.  Though they were manufactured in 1910, they were stamped 1913 in order to avoid confusion with the Mexican Mauser Models.   A contract of 40,000 rifles was ordered by the government of Mexico, and the first deliveries occurred in 1911.  Only 5,000 of the rifles were delivered to Mexico when a revolution erupted.  Caught rigging elections, Diaz was in big trouble as the country revolted against his rule.  Eventually the Diaz government’s line of credit ran dry and Mexico defaulted on the contract.  A short time later the Diaz government collapsed as Diaz was overthrown by the Mexican general Victoriano Huerta.  Diaz would flee to Spain where he died in 1915.Most of the Mexican Arisakas were used to arm the Mexican Army under Huerta.  As for the remaining 35,000 Mexican Arisaka rifles, the Japanese were pretty much stuck with them as surplus.  During World War II most were sold to Russia and used by the Russian Imperial Army. -- source link

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