Very Rare Manchu Kogaku Type 96 LMG Scope - With Original Case

Description

8/10/26 - This is an excellent example of a WW2 Japanese Type 96 LMG 2.5x13 with mint optics. This Type 96 was manufactured by the rarest maker, Manchu Kogaku, and comes with the original case. The 2.5×13 optic by Manchu Kogaku (Manchurian Optical Industry) is an exceptionally rare Wartime Maker. While The Type 96 2.5×13 scopes predominantly produced by well-known manufacturers like Tokyo Arsenal, Joto, Toko, and Enomoto Kogaku: The Manchu Kogaku examples are far more highly prized by collectors as a scarce low production number highest quality regional manufacturer. For their production runs of both the Type 96 and Type 99 Light Machine Gun (LMG) scopes, they were assigned the 30,000 serial number block- This Type 96 optical sight is #30101- making it the 101st that they produced. The exact total production number of Type 96 optical sights manufactured specifically by Manchu Kogaku (Manshu Kogaku) is not definitively recorded in surviving World War II military archives, but advanced collector data indicates it was roughly between 1,000 and 1,500 units.

This scope has retained most of its original finish with only minor spots of actual finish chipping. There are some hints of high-edge wear, but overall has very minimal surface blemishes and finish loss.

This specific Manchu Kogaku Type 96 2.5 x 13 optical sight (Serial No. 30101) was manufactured in late 1941. Making the early 1942 Mfg Case a factory Match.

The Manufacturer (Manchu Kogaku): "Manchu Kogaku" (Manchurian Optical) was a subsidiary company established by Nippon Kogaku (the precursor to modern-day Nikon) in occupied Manchuria (Manchukuo). The factory was specifically set up to produce military optics for the Imperial Japanese Army and began manufacturing these rare prismatic light machine gun sights in the late 1938.

The optics are Mint on this example with crystal clear reticle markings and clarity. Superb scratch-free lenses. The single soft rubber eyepiece is missing, as most are from these Type 96 2.5×13 scopes.

Mid war oil cloth & pressed board material case with very thin leather trim. This is the rarest type of case to find 100% intact due to the type of construction. The case top is detached from the rest of the case, but remains fully intact. The case carry straps are 100% solid & firm. Part of the frail leather top closing strap is missing, yet the top closes tightly. Back leather closing strap in excellent condition.

The Japanese text stamped onto the bottom of this item reads "昭十七" (read from right to left as 昭和十七).

Direct Translation

· 昭和十七 (Shōwa 17): Showa Year 17

Meaning

· 昭 (Shō): Short for the Showa Era (the reign of Emperor Hirohito).

· This is a year marker using the traditional Japanese calendar.

· It corresponds to the year 1942.

Additional Marks

Left Column: 坂 本 (Sakamoto)

· Meaning: A common Japanese surname, Sakamoto. This represents the name of the specific soldier or inspector assigned to the gear.

Center/Lower Symbol: 卜 (Boku / Katakana "To")

· Meaning: This isolated character acts as an inspection stamp or an inventory assembly marking commonly used by military depots.