What is this?
- Thread starter Obfuscator
- Start date
- Location
- Western Manitoba
So far as I know from the chrysanthemum stamp on the top of receiver, and the two holes there - is a Japanese made WWII rifle - others will be along to tell you which of several versions it was - I think it was supposed to have a dust cover that went back and forth with the bolt - but I might be mistaken about that.
Idk if we have anything concrete, but one uncle definitely served in the pacific ( my cousin remembers being told about it). We didn't find any ammo or anything else really.
It literally has "type 38" stamped on the top, made by Kokura Arsenal between (1935-1945). I cannot see the series of the rifle, but Kokura made type 38 from the 20 series to 26 th series between 1933-1940. The caliber is 6.5×50mmSR (semi-rimmed).
Crappy pictures sure don't help.
Grizz
I apologize for the quality of the pics, but was limited in what I could do due to the circumstances. Nonetheless it seems my pictures were sufficient to get an ID from people so I am satisfied. Thanks everyone for your assistance.
It's a Japanese Arisaka Type 38 from WWII, made by Tokyo Kokura Arsenal and chambered in 6.5*50 mm SR. It is hard to determine the year of making as Japanese has very different system in documenting their rifles, but I bet it is an early-mid war version. What is missing is a dust cover that goes on top of the bolt, which prevents dirt/dust gets into the bolt (It was thought kinda useless and Japanese soldiers ditched them away during action).
This one is quite well preserved as the mum (the sixteen-petal chrysanthemum stamped above the two vent holes) has not been ground. Often Japanese soldiers were ordered to remove that mum after they surrendered, as the mum is the symbol of the Japanese Emperor, who owned all the guns, and was considered divine. The Japanese could not tolerate the emperor's symbol being given up in surrender, so it had to be defaced. If the mum has not been ground then it probably mean this rifle is a vet brought back from the soldier who was killed, rather from the POWs.
This one is quite well preserved as the mum (the sixteen-petal chrysanthemum stamped above the two vent holes) has not been ground. Often Japanese soldiers were ordered to remove that mum after they surrendered, as the mum is the symbol of the Japanese Emperor, who owned all the guns, and was considered divine. The Japanese could not tolerate the emperor's symbol being given up in surrender, so it had to be defaced. If the mum has not been ground then it probably mean this rifle is a vet brought back from the soldier who was killed, rather from the POWs.
