Notches on Japanese Arisaka - Urban Myth?

[Philthy1]

I think the collector community is understandably conditioned to be dismissive and I understand that. I am the same way, but we have enough anecdotal evidence to know that some soldiers did mark kills on their rifles.

 

[QM 8687]

I am fortunate to have known many combat vets. Some even family members. Twice I had dinner with a VC winner. Stories I have been told would shock todays Canadian public.
There were soldiers who did mark their arms as kills. My Grandfather's mates did bring back to Ontario- rings, fillings, other trophies. They all knew what would,probably, happen to any soldier caught by any enemy soldier carrying unethical souvenirs or marked rifles.

 

[de-mix]

Rifle Bangs Up Against Safe, Two Kill-Notches Created.
End Of Story.

 

[gunsaholic]

Yes, notches could come from anything but I think it's pretty naive to say with certainty that some weren't marked as kill notches. Who knows what an individual would have done back in the day. Proving it is the hard part though. And who cares if any value might be added but it would certainly add to the history of the rifle if such marks were proven or documented, especially if the firearm was a sniper rifle.

Next time I see my Nephew I will ask if snipers today mark their weapons in some such manner. He was trained as a sniper in the marines but an IED 2 years ago cut his "career" short.

 

[skneub]

I put notches in my boat oars fish length and year + who caught it.
it is a way to keep track of whatever intrests the owner or former owner.

I wouldent doubt they were kills.
but there is no way to be sure

 

[Coyote Ugly]

Nine Hundred and Ninety Nine Notches on the Gun Stock,

Nine Hundred and Ninety Nine Notches,

If One of those Notches should happen to be Faked,

Nine Hundred and Ninety Eight Notches on the Gun Stock,

Nine Hundred and Ninety Eight Notches,

BLA BLA BLA BLA BLA BLA BLA BLA.........................

 

[Ax.338]

yup, I think we all figured what OP's question was, now those marks may refer to anything, not only killing notch and that was my point.

In this case. This rifle is mentioned in Sniper Sgt. Frank Iriam`s Memoirs (In the Trenches), as well as the fact that this particular sniper put a nick in his stock for every German he killed.

 

[George1969]

I have an Arisaka will those same grooves, 5 of them, and believe that during battle, in a foxhole, there are no atheists and everyone does weird things, i.e. kill marks, ear necklaces, etc. Just wouldn't want to be captured carrying that rifle.

 

[joelvca]

I would think it is just a way to identify your rifle in a dark trench or cave. Just so you wouldn't grab your buddies rifle by mistake. But what do I know?

Plastic holly with a wire stem from a family Care package, on the front sling swivel of an M16A1. Easily removable for inspections and other silliness. I also had an eject-stuck-cases cleaning rod held through the carrying handle and an MG belt link crimped to the front sight base, but that was NOT a uniquely identifying feature at that time and place. Unfortunately, I can't find any photos. Off topic trivia, the length of the cleaning rod was adjusted by selecting the number and lengths of sections (two different types with different number & lengths of sections) and possibly a patch tip so it would eject the case but NOT hit the bolt to trip it off of the hold-open. Eventually all non-chromed barrels were replaced and the stuck cases ceased to be a problem.

Regards,
Joel