I Need Help With A Siamese Mauser Mystery Model

[albayo]

I need some help from the Mauser collectors on a mystery gun.

It all started when I tried to put a Siamese 1903 Mauser bayonet on the gun and it wouldn't fit.

I have a Siamese Mauser long rifle and I can't decide if it is a 1903, 1904, or 1923.

Is it possible to have a combination 03 & 04, or a long Model 1923 rifle?

The action is a 1903 style because it has the dust cover.

The circular marking on the receiver called the "Charkra" and model year are of the 1923 style firearm, not the 1903.

Behind the crest are two holes about 1/2" apart, probably for gas release.

The stock has grasping grooves like the 1903, but the front barrel band is of the 1904 and the 1923 short rifle style.

The middle barrel band is of the 1923 type flat with a screw going from left to right.

The stock looks similar to the Japanese rifles with a piece added to the bottom of the butt stock.

The front sight is similar to the Swede Mauser but is located 1 1/4" back from the muzzle.

I have a 1903 spare Siamese Mauser stock set, but the fore stock doesn't have enough wood on it to take the 04 & 23 front band with bayonet lug.

There isn't any mention of a Siamese Mauser 1923 long rifle, but there is reference material on the 1923 (Type 66) Short Rifle.

The top wood extends from the middle barrel band to the front of the rear sight. In my reference material the pictures show the top wood extending back to the receiver. The wood is factory and not cut.

The butt plate is solid, and there isn't any butt trap on it like the 1903.

My reference material comes from Mauser Military Rifles, Third Addition, by Robert W.D. Ball

If anyone can help me out with this one I would appreciate it.

Thank you in advance.

Albayo

 

[Claven2]

Are you sure it's not a Siamese Arisaka T38? That's what it sounds like...?

 

[albayo]

Siamese Mauser

Thank you Claven2, I think you have me going in the right direction.

I found more information in Bolt Action rifles book, By Frank de Hass, and it has similarities to the Arisaka Model 38.

Same shaped bolt release, top handguard, and the two holes in the top of receiver. The wood has a small round notch beside the receiver.

Are the protection wings or ears on the front sight put on by a screw on the Typr 38 rifle?

The rear sight does not stand up like the Arisaka, it slides on a remp like a Mauser.

I think it is a Japanese built firearm, but what would it be listed as a Siamese Model 1923?

 

[Claven2]

I really don;t know much about Siamese use of the Japanese T38, but I do know Japan sold Arisakas to Siam, though some changes were made to meet Siamese requirements. I've nto seen one in person, but I do know a T38 receiver when I hear it described to me - and you definitely have a T38 receiver.

Perhaps post pics on the gunboards Arisaka forum for advice?

 

[Andy]

How about posting some pics HERE?

 

[albayo]

Siamese Mauser

I haven't figured the picture posing yet. I can send pictures and someone post them for me.
Thanks
Al

 

[Andy]

Send them to me, I'd be happy to post them. I'll PM my e-mail addy.

I think I have one myself, and I'd like to compare notes.

 

[Andy]

Does it look like my Siamese Arisaka?

 

[albayo]

Siamese Mauser

Andy, it looks exactly like that one, but mine has the action cover.

When I first got it, I thought it was a Japanese 36 in 6.5.
I was at a gun show in 2000 and a guy wanted me to look at a rifle he had for sale. I went over and looked at it and said it looked like a Japenese Arisaka, and they used to sell for $25 or $30 from Century. When I said that he held his hand out for the money. I didn't even say I wanted it, and next thing I knew I was lugging it back to my table.
I never even looked at it until a year later. I was talking to a buddy of mine and I said it must be a type 99 because it was bigger than a 6.5. My buddy asked me if it had a slanted mag for the rimmed rounds. I said yes and then looked in my book of Mausers, by Olson and found it was a Siamese Mauser.

Now with your help and Claven2 it is a Samese Mauser made by Arisaka. But it might be considered a Model 1924 Rifle, as Arisaka made a carbine with some of the same kind of parts for Siam.

It goes with my Siamese No1 MkIII's. I have two of them and just got a set of wood to restore one.