Page "Arisaka" Paragraph 3

The Arisaka bolt-action service rifle was used heavily everywhere the Imperial Japanese Army and Imperial Japanese Navy fought.

Prior to World War II, Arisakas were used by the British Navy and Russian Army, in Finland and Albania.

The Czech Legions that fought in the Russian Revolution were almost entirely armed with Type 30s and 38s.

Many captured Arisaka rifles were employed by neighboring countries both during and after World War II, in places such as China, Thailand and Cambodia.

However, after the Japanese surrender in the summer of 1945, all manufacturing of rifles and ammunition stopped abruptly, and the Arisaka quickly became obsolete.

Since most Imperial Japanese Armory contents were thrown into Tokyo Harbor after the signing of the surrender, spare ammunition also became rare.

Additional 6. 5 × 50mmSR ammunition was, however, produced in China for use in their captured rifles.