japanese arisaka type 38 help needed lots of pics

contact148

contact148

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I came across this rifle today I don't know anything about Japanese rifles

I believe its a type 38 please correct me if I am wrong

I am looking for its value as I would like to purchase it

numbers on bolt, receiver and bayonet lug match did not see any numbers on stock or trigger group No dust cover present. bore has sharp rifling but was dirty mum has been ground rifle was made at Nagoya Arsenal according to the net (3 circles in side themselves) has an old leather sling not sure if its original

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Not much help to you - from somewhere I had read that the "Mum" was a symbol that the item belonged to the Emperor - was ground off, by Japanese, before handing them over upon surrender? So a rifle with an intact "Mum" was likely a battle field pick-up - making them rarer, I think, and adds to the price?

From murky depths of memory, I believe there was two cartridges in service - something like one was a 6.5 mm and one was a 7.7 mm - not sure at all about those dimensions, and I suspect both were uniquely Japanese cartridge bodies.

I would be interested to know the purpose of the two holes on top of the front receiver ring - as vents? to mount something? I note from your pictures that it has a hinged floor plate with release inside the trigger guard - I do not think is very common on military rifles - surprising that one has not been "worked over" as a "sporter" - simply because of that floor plate??
 
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Potashminer said:
Not much help to you - from somewhere I had read that the "Mum" was a symbol that the item belonged to the Emperor - was ground off, by Japanese, before handing them over upon surrender? So a rifle with an intact "Mum" was likely a battle field pick-up - making them rarer, I think, and adds to the price?

From murky depths of memory, I believe there was two cartridges in service - something like one was a 6.5 mm and one was a 7.7 mm - not sure at all about those dimensions, and I suspect both were uniquely Japanese cartridge bodies.

I would be interested to know the purpose of the two holes on top of the front receiver ring - as vents? to mount something? I note from your pictures that it has a hinged floor plate with release inside the trigger guard - I do not think is very common on military rifles - surprising that one has not been "worked over" as a "sporter" - simply because of that floor plate??
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Those two holes...it means it's a Type 38 in 6.5mm. The very similar Type 99 in 7.7mm has a single hole. So in the dark and if you're unsure, you feel for the holes. Two, it's a Type 38, one it's a Type 99.
 
The ground mum is a bit of a myth, yes they did grind them off when they surrendered. However, they also did this when weapons were transferred between the IJN and IJA, this was done through out the war. But, buy the rifle not the story. I’m trying to find a Type 38 issued to the British Army during WW1.
 
I paid like 700 all in for one, 2 years ago in slightly better condition than that. Not sure if I over paid but I really wanted an Arisaka. The wife bought me a bayonet for valentines day the first or second year we were together and the quest began lol.
 
Arisakas are relatively rare in Canada. More common and cheaper in the USA. Yours looks to be a decent example, it has the cleaning rod, and doesn’t appear to be refinished. If you go to Gunboards.com and include a picture of the side of the receiver, they can give you a date of manufacture. (I used to know how to do this, but I’ve forgotten now).
That being said, I would think that a price of $1000 wouldn’t be out of line, perhaps higher?
 
I have an early production Type 99 that I bought at a local gun shop a few years ago. Missing the action cover (probably not the correct name) and sight wings. Mum is ground. The good news . It is in very good condition with an excellent bore. Shoots cast bullets very accurately. Cases made from 30-06. A well made rifle (IMO) and fun to shoot. Attracts some attention on the range as well from those who have an interest in military rifles.
 
Picked the rifle up was covered in cosmo a few hours cleaning it all off bore is like new as is bolt face there is wear o the the bolt finish so it has been cycled

bolt, extractor, bayo lug and mag base numbers all match cleaning rod present bolt cover missing. original finish intact for 98% of rifle stock is one piece orig finish some dents and dings wood unmarked original sling but missing keeper and buckle, leather badly aged/worn at no adjustable end

manufactured at Nagoya Arsenal series 28 serial 350XX anyone know what year it was made? no import marks, previous owner had it for at least past 20 years probably much longer Ill see what info I can get about where it came from

picked up 6.5 Japanese dies today have brass and projectiles on order hope to shoot it in a week or two
 
You are lucky that it has a good bore, many of the type 38s have sewer pipes. I wouldn’t call a ‘mum’ dirty, it was simply the symbol of the emperor.

As to the comment about the hinged floorplate meaning its a rework, all type 38s have them, there is other military issued arms which have them as well (such as portuguese M1904s). Most nations just chose not to due to questionable value but added expense.
 
Eaglelord17 said:
You are lucky that it has a good bore, many of the type 38s have sewer pipes. I wouldn’t call a ‘mum’ dirty, it was simply the symbol of the emperor.

As to the comment about the hinged floorplate meaning its a rework, all type 38s have them, there is other military issued arms which have them as well (such as portuguese M1904s). Most nations just chose not to due to questionable value but added expense.
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the bore actually looks unfired the floor plate is not hinged the button in the trigger guard releases the back part of the mag plate floor the front has no hinge the entire mag plate base with spring and follower comes out of the rifle
 
contact148 said:
no the mauser is not for sale its a 1936 pre nazi (imperial eagles) S/147 that I have owned for many many years was shooting it the day i looked at the type 38
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A 1936 production is still nazi era. It might have imperial acceptance marks because they were still using up the old stamps.
 
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