My BIL sent me some pics of a mystery rifle (a mystery to both of us) he just picked up. Has absolutely no markings of any kind but these Asian characters I don't know what language exactly. We have no idea what it's chambered in or anything
I'm not the one taking the pics or they would look a lot better lol. That sounds neat. Never heard of one. What where they originally chambered in pre conversion?From the limited view in the 3 pics, I'm guessing Siamese Mauser. These were often converted to .45-70.
Type 38 - Model of 1905 Found in Long, Short Rifle, and Carbine Configurations | Type 38 - Model of 1905 Double Circle Rifle or Concentric Circle Rifle | Type 38 - Model of 1905 'Love of Country' marks either side of Chrysanthemum | Mexican Type 38 - 1913 Rifle/Carbine configuration No Type/Arsenal markings |
I believe you are correctThat’s an Arisaka. Japanese sporterized rifle from WWII
I've read about that. Our government demanded GI's ground it off. I've also heard it told that some times the Japanese ground it off to avoid surrendering something that had the symbol of the emperor on it. I've seen one on person markings in tact. I had no idea what it was but I did tell him straight out of the gate it was sporterizedThat’s an Arisaka. Japanese sporterized rifle from WWII.
Also, one can note the knurled back cocking piece, another dead giveaway of Arisaka’s.
The chrysanthemum has been ground off.
I've read about that. Our government demanded GI's ground it off. I've also heard it told that some times the Japanese ground it off to avoid surrendering something that had the symbol of the emperor on it. I've seen one on person markings in tact. I had no idea what it was but I did tell him straight out of the gate it was sporterized
Are you certain it was always the latter? I've read that swastikas, war eagles, and wermacht crosses were required by our military to be removed. I've also seen arisakas with the flower crudely crossed outIt’s the latter of the above. It was disgraceful to surrender the mum a symbol of the emperor.
An intact mum carries more value due to rarity and completeness. But your metal looks in good shape, there are a lot of Arisakas in poor shape due to the nature of their environment.
Are you certain it was always the latter? I've read that swastikas, war eagles, and wermacht crosses were required by our military to be removed. I've also seen arisakas with the flower crudely crossed out
Definitely in the case of the rifle in question it was removed by the Japanese as it has been done neatly. If that's what we are looking at. I'm 90% sure.its not in my hands it down in GA it's my BILs. Although I'm now plotting to convince him to sell it since ammo is about $2.50 a round and he has 6 kids but I have none so I can afford to shoot itI guess anything’s possible, but if one studies Japanese culture and their thoughts on honor/dishonor, and I know for a fact they did remove mums ahead of capture/surrender/defeat if at all possible. With this in mind I would assume most were removed at the orders of superiors within the Japanese army.
But I guess a GI who had a horrific encounter on one of those bloody island conflicts sure could have desired to deface the mum. I just don’t see this as being the main culprit.
He insists the markings shown are the only ones on itIf you can get him to get a picture of the serial number area along side the receiver I can tell you what Japanese Arsenal it was manufactured in.
The Type’s numbers correspond with the year of the Emporers reign. So a Type 38 was established in the 38th year reign of the current emporer (forgot his name).
They may be below the top of the stock as it wraps the left side of the receiver. The red on the edited picture is where one finds the serial number and Arsenal marks.He insists the markings shown are the only ones on it