Japanese Sniper Scope..Type 97 Kokura. 2.5X.W/Early Leather Case (Dated 1938):

Description

First time offered and one of the Rarest of the Japanese Sniper Scope "rigs"...This is a very early...first year..Kokura 2.5x scope for the Type 97 Sniper Rifle.  These were issued during the Japanese- Chinese War in Manchuria..and very few ever survived...and fewer yet offered for sale.  The scope was made by Nikkor..(Japan Optical Company)  and has a assigned lst contract number No. 4142 and issued to Kokura Rifle No. 1177.  On the very front of the mount has a what collectors call a Forward Edge Number...No. 1292...which was only used by Nikkor.  Now to add more to the rarity...the scope case is the very early leather variation...with the early nickel fittings.   (The closure stud..rivets..and sling Triangle Wire).. Now notice that the original string which held a small piece of cloth for cleaning the lens is still fastened in the string "eyelet"  ( also nickel) .  Only the early scope cases used a leather covering for the cleaning brush...and this case has its intact.   We know that in late 1938...the Kokura 97 2.5 scopes were issued...and 1938 is where it all started...On the inside of the lid...is the dating kanji ..1938..along with arsenal proofing. ...so this where it all started.  The photos will show the remaining condition and the optics are clear.....good grid lines but as with most of the surviving early scopes...some "black specks". We think there will be collectors that have a early Kokura Type 97 Sniper Rifle and need a early Kokura Sniper Scope and Case to complete their "rig". US Shipping Only of .00 which includes full insurance of the purchase price.