Mystery Arisaka ID Help, Plz

Ganderite

Ganderite

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Farm south of North Bay
This rifle is built on an Arisaka action. I don't know the model or original caliber, but I can see the original jap markings.

It has been aseneal changed over to 30-06. I have seen other, simlar rifles. There are markings on the barrel that appear to be in a differnt alphebet. I am guessing that this rifle was made for Thailand.

Barrel is 23.5" and mirror bright. The front sight has an American look. maybe it was made for the Korean war??

I have shot it from time to time. It is a handy size and weight and I liked to shoot it because the rear sight is a peep.

I want to sell it but don't know what it is or the value.

ARISAKAMYSTERY4.jpg

ARISAKAMYSTERY1.jpg

ARISAKAMYSTERY.jpg
 
I think your Siamese rifle would be in 8x52R. I remember an old picture of a coronation in Siam before WW1, and the Siamese soldiers were caring 1895 Mannlicher straight pull rifles.
 
I've read in the past that these Thai 30.06 conversions are known to be far less accurate than the original 6.5x50 JAP rifles - if you use standard commercial ammunition. How do you find yours shoots as far as accuracy is concerned - at say, 100 yards?
 
This rifle is a type 38 converted to 30-06, called a type 83/88, perhaps made for the police or military. Not known for sure. These are very uncommon here and in the US.

for comparison here is a web site that has a side by side comparison with a Jap type 38 and Siam Type 83/88.

ht tp://steyrmannlicher.yuku.com/reply/68102/Re-Siamese-Conversion-of-a-T38-83-88#.UMNPCXf4J8E
 
sail32 said:
I think your Siamese rifle would be in 8x52R. I remember an old picture of a coronation in Siam before WW1, and the Siamese soldiers were caring 1895 Mannlicher straight pull rifles.
Click to expand...

Siam had a few rifles from many suppliers.

M1888 Mannlichers in 8x50mm Siamese
Steyr M1895 Mannlichers (straight pull bolt action) 8x50mm Siamese
Type 45 (called the Type 46 due to the complexities in the Siam Calendar) or M1903(Due to the year adopted) Mauser in 8x50mm Siamese
Type 66 Arisaka in 8x50 Siamese

And of course BSA .303 Enfield No.1 Mk111* rifles.
 
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This is a Type 38 6.5mm rifle convertedto an '06. Serial on the barrel is in Siamese numerals.

Front sight hood is copied from the M-1 Carbine.

These were done in the 1960s, sold here about 20 years ago but not in any number.

Local fellow has one and is can SHOOT.

Definitely NOT commo.

As for your original Siamese Ari, they are darned RARE; survival rate was very low. I suspect many of them, like the Siamse Mausers, went for .45-70s and thus are trashed permanently. Thanks, Bubba!

I have no idea as to "value" but, compared to as-issued Japanese rifles, they both are very scarce-to-rare. Price should reflect that.
 
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