Arisaka type 38 help

[Kayak76]

Hello,
I am new to the forum and would like to thank in advance anyone who is willing to share some of their wisdom with me. I hunt and enjoy shooting sports, but have no knowledge about firearms made before the mid 70s. Recently my father-in-law showed me a crate of weapons his father had left him when he passed away 40 some years ago. He's never taken them out of the crate until now and has tasked me with cleaning and identifying them as his health is failing and would like to will them to family members. There are around a half dozen that I'm struggling to find information on. Starting with this Arisaka Type 38, I've read that the elongated M denotes it being a "Military Reserve" weapon and that it was maufactured at the Kokura Arsenal, but other than that, I can not seem to identify the symbol or series character preceeding the serial number nor the character after the serial number. Also, is there any way to narrow down the date this rifle was manufactured? Thanks again.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

http://oldmilitarymarkings.com/japanese_markings.html
There ya go, bro....everything there is to know about Arisaka marks.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Looks like series 20 Kokura Type 38 to me.....1933 to 1940 production. An exceptionally nice old Arisaka you have there!

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Hello,
I am new to the forum and would like to thank in advance anyone who is willing to share some of their wisdom with me. I hunt and enjoy shooting sports, but have no knowledge about firearms made before the mid 70s. Recently my father-in-law showed me a crate of weapons his father had left him when he passed away 40 some years ago. He's never taken them out of the crate until now and has tasked me with cleaning and identifying them as his health is failing and would like to will them to family members. There are around a half dozen that I'm struggling to find information on. Starting with this Arisaka Type 38, I've read that the elongated M denotes it being a "Military Reserve" weapon and that it was maufactured at the Kokura Arsenal, but other than that, I can not seem to identify the symbol or series character preceeding the serial number nor the character after the serial number. Also, is there any way to narrow down the date this rifle was manufactured? Thanks again.View attachment 780027 View attachment 780028 View attachment 780029

O, and welcome to THR! Can't wait to see the rest of the guns coming out of the crate!

 

[Kayak76]

Hey NIGHTLOARD40K,
Thank you for the information! I've been using that same page as a guide. I've held that series legend up to it a couple of times already.....not being familiar at all with the Japanese characters, I ran down the list checking them off no, no, maybe, no, close,......etc. Now that you pointed it out, I see it. Do you have any idea what the mark to the right of the serial number is? It resembles the Kanji character for small, but rotated 90 degrees (from what I've read).
Thanks again.

 

[JT-AR-MG42]

Do you have any idea what the mark to the right of the serial number is?

That character is the final (completed rifle) acceptance stamp.

The Koishikawa Arsenal symbol that is stamped over the chrysanthemum to cancel it,
along with the two circles preceding the series mark, show that the rifle was removed from active Military service.

That rifle, from the one photo, is by far the nicest one I've seen that has a canceled mum.
The majority of removed from service Type 38 rifles were rather used up by the time they were pulled from active duty.

Any proofs stamped in the stock between the grip and the toe (in line) or on the left rear of the
receiver between the bolt release and the bolt?


JT

 

[Kayak76]

JT-AR-MG42,
Thank you for the information. I documented as much as I could while there, but didn't notice any markings in either location you mentioned. I am currently bringing 2 weapons at a time home with me for cleaning and research. I will look closer when I have it again. Does the stamping above the partial serial number near the bolt handle have any significance?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Probably a line inspectors mark or steel lot number.

 

[tark]

post deleted