Japanese Military Arisaka Rifle

[SC_Slowhand]

I bought a Japanese Military Arisaka Rifle, Type 38 (1905) Design.



It’s in reasonable shape for its age. It just needs a bit of cleaning and should be ready to roll.



I get the thing home and pop off the dust cover. The Mum is of course missing. That was a 16 Petal Chrysanthemum stamped on rifle to identify it as belonging to the Japanese Army and symbolized the Emperor. Loads of Mums got chiseled off after WWII.

I also note that the Shiki calligraphy says that it’s a Type 38. I measure the bore and it’s a 6.5mm, the rifle is 50 ¼ inches long, with a 31 ½ in barrel. It’s been reasonably maintained but needs some cleaning.

The Serial Number is s a problem. 5,054,xxx, none of the Japanese Armories produced that volume before or during WWII, unless it was the Manchurian Armory. It was estimated that over 3,400,000 Type 38’s were produced.

The Arsenal Stamp is unknown in any of my research. The closest symbol is the Nagoya Armory but that would have to be an upside down stamp.

It also needs cleaning rod, a sling and a bayonet but that can wait.

Loads of interesting stuff at the gun show. But the prices were high.

I’m just curious if anyone recognizes the Arsenal Stamp.

 

[whanson_wi]

Check out http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/japanese_markings.html . The marking you posted looks like the Mukden arsenal in Manchuria. The serial number on yours does fall within the range of numbers that arsenal used.

 

[WardenWolf]

That's a nice old rifle. Looks like it was taken out of service pre-World War II to have survived in that condition. My Type 99 was not so lucky. It was made in 1941 and was captured in 1945 on Okinawa. Stock is relatively beat up, but the action is perfect.

 

[SC_Slowhand]

Radix Net Reference

That's an excellent reference for the Japanese Arisaka Rifle. I found it in one of my first Google Searches. Plus a few other places. I'd say Mukden Arsenal (Manchuria) is it. The smaller series mark to the right looks lke Series Markings for Series 5.

Like WardenWolf wrote she is one lucky lady to have survived this long. I've also have 2 Mosin Nagants (33/38) who made it. The commonalities in designs of these bolt action pre-war firearms are interesting.

Thanks for the responses.

 

[WardenWolf]

That Radix site's been around a long time, and it was immensely useful when I was seeking info about my own Arisaka rifle. Mine's been in my family since World War II. My grandfather, who was in the Signal Corps on Okinawa, bought it off another soldier for $10. I determined it was a Series 21 Kokura, which was only the second production run that Kokura made. Very early-production, most likely early to mid-1941 according to my research.

The military deactivated it before they let my grandfather ship it home, by removing the striker, spring, and bolt back. I sourced the parts and got her running again after 60 years as a wall hanger.




And yes, that's my rifle's sights on the Wikipedia article.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Nice Type 38. The Type 38 and Type 99 both are surprisingly good shooters. I have my eye out for a Type 38 to go with my Nagoya Arsenal series 5 Arisaka Type 99.

 

[Ian]

If you got some use from the info at Radix, you might consider picking up a copy of the book it largely came from:

http://www.forgottenweapons.com/video-book-review-japanese-rifles-of-wwii-by-duncan-mccollum/

It's a good basic reference on Japanese collecting, and less than twenty bucks. Fair disclosure, it's also written by my father.

Congrats on the Mukden Type 38! That's not a common arsenal to find.

 

[SC_Slowhand]

Japanese Arisaka Rifle Type 38

http://books.google.com/books?id=Pn...page&q=mukden arsenal manchuria marks&f=false

Phillip Peterson published a Standard Catalogue of military Firearms: The Collector Price & Reference Guide. which has some information on the Arisaka alomg with a few others.

I ran into this one at a local 2 Day Gun SHow/ I'd been keeping my eye out for one. There's only one in a LGS in town and the owner is stuck at $350. There's one single small line on the receiver with a small character shiki for type and some arabic numbers, no other marking. A rather beaten up Plain Jane.

The majority of the Arisakas, Mosin Nagants, M1 and M2s at the Gunshow were in the $500-$600.++ range. This one was priced at $325. on the first go around. I came back about an hour before closing and offered him $250 so he would at least get his gas money for the trip (Out of Towner).

He said he'd only had 1 sale so far in 2 Days and took the $250. I checked the second tag on it and he'd lined out a $165. price. Which is what he probably paid for it.

Anyway thanks for the information and comments. The pictures are great. Thanks guys.

 

[SC_Slowhand]

Your Book Reference

Ian

It's $22.94 with shipping and handling. After watching the video and doing some research I ordered the book. It'll make a good addition to the library.

Thanks

 

[8mmman]

I love my type 38

Been shooting them for almost 50 years now. Great rifles and very under reated too. Have fun.

 

[WardenWolf]

I remember just a few short years ago when Arisaka 99's were only $150 on Gunbroker. Now they're going upwards from $225 even with a cracked stock. Mine may not be a looker, but at least the stock is intact and the bore shiny.