However, the weapon had numerous shortcomings, which were highlighted by combat experience in the early stages of the Russo-Japanese War.

[12] The weapon was produced in several locations: In 1939, the Type 38 rifle manufactured by these arsenals cost 75.9 yen per unit.

However, not all units received the new weapon, and the mixture of types with incompatible cartridges led to considerable logistics issues during World War II.

However, while on par with the Norwegian and Italian 6.5 mm military cartridges of the time, the 6.5×50mm was not as powerful as several others in use by other nations.

The Type 38 at 128 cm (50.4 in) was the longest rifle of the war, due to the emphasis on bayonet training for the Japanese soldier of the era, whose average height was 160 centimeters (5 ft 3 in).

In the case of a firearm, "model" is a more accurate interpretation of the SHIKI (式) character, but the word "type" has become well-established by collectors for decades.

There is no consistency to serial numbers or arsenal marks as the rifles were converted from existing stock.

[20] It was produced in a number of locations: Similar to the Type 38 carbine from the middle band back.

The scope was offset to allow loading by stripper clip and bolt handle slightly bent down.

[22] Chinese copy of the Japanese Type 38 at the Taiyuan Arsenal in the very late 1920s to early 1930s for the warlord of Shanxi province, General Yan Xishan.

It does not bear the Japanese Imperial Chrysanthemum, but instead has a heart symbol and under it written "918 Type" (九一八式).

These were taken straight from assembly lines at Nagoya and Kokura arsenals, after the Japanese Imperial Chrysanthemum was canceled out by zeros along the petals.

[28] Very few of these rifles were imported into the United States because of the Gun Control Act of 1968 restricting former military arms from entering the country.

[30] Ordered in mid 1913 by the Huerta government in the standard Mexican military caliber, 7×57mm Mauser, for 50,000 rifles and later for another 25,000 carbines from the Tokyo Artillery Arsenal.

[31] The breech had the Mexican crest under "Republica Mexicana" where the Japanese Imperial Chrysanthemum would be on a Type 38 Arisaka.

[33] After World War II, Type 38s captured from the IJA were converted to use the 7.62×39mm cartridge by the People's Republic of China since the PLA was being equipped with AK and SKS rifles in that caliber.