HISTORY OF HOWA
DECADES OF PRECISION & QUALITY
“We will continue to aim at becoming a globally recognized rifle taking advantage of skills and experiences which have been cultivated for more than 50 years.”
While the Howa Machinery Company Ltd is best known for manufacturing Japanese armaments – particularly those associated with WWII – it also makes heavy duty vehicles, construction and industrial tools and other civilian products. Howa rifles cover a broad range of uses from the Arisaka service rifle and the AR 18 assault rifle to hunting and target bolt action rifles for civilian markets.
Starting in 1940 Howa became intrinsic in Japanese war efforts, creating many variations on the Arisaka rifle line. After the sudden cessation of production after the Japanese surrender in 1945 the Arisaka became virtually obsolete, found only in those countries where Arisaka rifles had been captured, such as China and Thailand, or in the US as war trophies. Later Howa created carbines and semi-automatic rifles for the Japanese Self Defense Forces during the Cold War.
Howa Rifles for Sale Today
Today Howa continues to produce military and civilian firearms, including their popular sport rifles, in addition to their other industrial products. Howa also manufactures components for other major firearms companies like Weatherby, Smith & Wesson and Mossberg. Now that you’ve read up on Howa rifles head over to our auction pages to find the rifles, accessories and ammunition you’re looking for. Be sure to check our antique and collectible firearms pages for prized pre-WWII Howa rifles.