Arisaka rifle

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280PLUS

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I just got one and I have no idea what caliber it is. I've seen reference to .311/312 but a .30 cal head is too big of a round to even come close to fitting into the barrel. I find that it is a type 38 from the Kokura arsenal and was later used as a training weapon as the mum has some circles stamped in it, there is a school symbol stamped on the receiver above the type # and there are 2 zeros before the serial #

What else can anyone tell me about it? Also, how can I tell if I have a matching bayonet?

Where would I be able to find some ammo for it?
 
Thanks Jim, I did think about doing a search after I posted this but you beat me to it. I appreciate the time you took.

As far as the bayonet, I understand that serial numbers were not expected to match but have read some about correct bayonet vs incorrect bayonet. The oneI have does ft the rifle. Man, them things get LONG with the bayonet on them. I recall reading how the Japs used to practice on our downed pilots with them and it just ticks me off to no end. The SOBs would place a piece of paper over the heart so that they WOULDN'T hit the heart and the pilot would have to suffer multiple stab wounds before they expired. :cuss: :fire:
 
If it's a 38 then it's 6.5

However, if it was handed over to be a trainer it may not be safe to fire. They usually gave them weapons that had serious issues to use as trainers. I would be very careful before I shot it.

I have one that was a trainer from the start and it's TOTALLY unsafe to fire, if it even would. Barrel is smooth, bolt and sights are very poorly made.

You should have someone who is really up on them check it for you before you fire it.

They are great rifles. The 6.5 has very little recoil and it's great that Graf has now made them much easier to feed.

Good Luck,
 
Thanks guys, especially for the heads up on the trainers. I'll have it looked at before I fire it for sure.
 
I had a type 99 and I also had the original matching serial number bayonet and the original frog. Sadly the mum was ground and the blueing less than ideal. I sold it for $200 total. Only paid $150.00.
 
FIL just had it appraised at a local gun shop and the guy told him $50. I can't help thinking he was low balling him a bit. But not by much, just enough to make a little profit I suspect.
 
Well, I took another close look at it and as far as I can see the bore looks smooth. I'd say it is plumb shot out. :(

I can't see down the barrel so good cause the eyesight sucks but I don't see much in the way of rifling right near the muzzle. I'll take it in and see what they say anyways. Is it possible to put new rifling in it?

Rats...

:p
 
280--is this an INTACT Type 38? It sounds like it has an intact mum at least. $50 is way, way, WAY low for an intact Type 38. Here's a trainer with virtually no receiver markngs going for three bills:

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976756299.htm

Please post pics if possible, esp. over on the Arisaka forum. These rifles come in a confusing array of subtypes including some quite valuable (as in over a grand or more), so DO NOT GO BY WHAT SOME LOCAL GUNSTORE TELLS YOU! Those dopes go by the bluebook, which is worse than useless when it comes to vintage war rifles. Don't do ANYTHING to it until you've confirmed what it is from someone who knows Arisakas. Most of the 38's came over decades ago and have been hacked to bits. The intact ones are going way up in value, esp. if they have mums.
 
I have a 38 that I bought in a pawn shop because no one knew what it was, me included. It has been re-barreled and bubba'd, but shoots well. I plan to shorten the barrel a few inches, re-finish it and re-stock it as a project. Right now it shoots 1.5moa at 100 but is ticklish, hold the forearm different and watch the POI move! It had an intact mum but the aforementioned bubba drilled a scope mount screw hole dead center. Idjit. I have always shot Norma and bought a few boxes from some fellow in texas that was making brass from .257 Roberts. I have enough brass to stop doing both now.
 
280-Just hang onto it. Arisaka's are somewhat rare in comparison to other milsurp rifles, since they were never imported. All the ones that are here were GI trophies. I have two Type 99's, both have had the mum's ground but are excellent shooters. The last ditch model I have is pretty rough compared to the earlier one, but still shoots fine.

Make your Type 38 a wall hanger and go find yourself a good Type 99 to play with. They are available from $150-$600, depending on condition.
 
I have a buddy who just bought one at the pawn shop. It's a 99 with the mum still intact. Problem is it's pitted up pretty bad. It's got the sliding rear sight and chrome lined barrel.
 
I'll say one thing for it, it shoulders very nicely. This A.M. I managed to get a good look down the barrel in the sunlight and I actually DO see rifling. I believe theres quite a bit of crud built up in there. I'll post pics later today.

Thanks once more for the info.

Oh and yes it is intact and has the dust cover, I haven't checked the bayonet again yet. I have no real interest in selling it, I DO want to shoot it if possble though. What can I say? :D

Either that or I'll keep it in the bedroom with bayonet fixed and use it for home defense. I wonder what a BG would think of a good old fashioned Banzai bayonet charge?

LOL...
 
Here's an update,

Looking over this chart:

http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/japanese_markings.html

I find that the TOKYO era 38 has no series marking. Neither does mine. So apparently my initial impression that it was from Kokura was incorrect. the Serial is 00966xx (it is apparent the 2 zeros were added later) so that should make it a pretty early one I'd guess.
 
Yup, apparently it was made ~ 1907 if you can believe that. I't's in pretty darn good condition given it's age. The bayonet carries the correct armory mark (assuming it IS a Tokyo mark and not a Kokura) but the serial # does not match.
 
Update...

I've been swabbing and soaking the the bore with Hoppes for about a week now and it's looking pretty good down in there. Nice sharp looking rifling and it's starting to look pretty bright. I still keep getting black patches out of it though. The crown looks ok so all that is left is actually shooting it. Then we'll know the whole story. Overall the rifle is in excellent shape for it's age. So I just now ordered me some ammo from Graf.

Stay tuned...

:D
 
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