WW2 Jap Rifle

rzepko6194

Hello,

A while back I found this WW2 Japanese rifle in the basement of an old house I bought. What's the type and value?

Thanks!

[img][/img]http://s118.photobucket.com/albums/o119/rzepko6194/?action=view&current=jap2.jpg
[img][/img]http://s118.photobucket.com/albums/o119/rzepko6194/?action=view&current=jap1.jpg
[img][/img]http://s118.photobucket.com/albums/o119/rzepko6194/?action=view&current=jap4.jpg

kwdweld

I'd like to know also, my dad brought one home from the war that looks just like it. My brothers and i use to play with, and he still has it in the closet.

rzepko6194

quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
It appears to be a 6.5 Type 38 rifle, but I would need a close up of the Kanji on the top of the receiver to verify.


OK, I'll try to get a close-up of the receiver top later today. Thanks!

p3skyking

quote:Originally posted by kwdweld
I'd like to know also, my dad brought one home from the war that looks just like it. My brothers and i use to play with, and he still has it in the closet.


Japanese rifles mostly all follow a basic design, INCLUDING TRAINING RIFLES WHICH WILL BLOW UP IF FIRED WITH SERVICE AMMO. This is why I MUST see the Kanji on the receiver to verify.
If you can post a clear photo, I can ID your weapon too.

Fatstrat

Looks to me like it's got a ground Mum on top of the receiver. That "usually" means a rifle aquired after wars end from surrendered stockpiles. To the Japanese,the MUM signified that the rifle was owned by the Emperor which the Japanese believed "divine". No Japanese wouldwillingly allow the emerors property to be captured or fall into enemy hands w/an intact Mum. Part of te deal in Japans surrender was that the MUM's would be ground off all surrendered weapons. So "generally" Mumed Arisaka's are considered Battlefield pickups" and ground (or defaced) Mums are surrendered rifles that may have been used in battle, or stored in Arsenal.
Other things to photo and check.
If can post pics of the Arsenal stamp preceeding the serial number on left side of receiver, we can tell you what arsenal and possibly series it is. Also check to see if the number on the bottom side of the bolt handle match the last 3 of the serial number on receiver.
Note: There may be other serial numbered parts as well. All should ideally match the last 3 of the serial number on reciever. However some rearsenaled rifle may have a different system of "assembly numbers".

11echo

From the pic of the top of the receiver you can see two vent holes, this means this is a type 38 in 6.5mm or type 30 also in 6.5mm. The type 30 was a training rifle and normally a smooth bore rifle as I understand it (this variant is not my strong point) Also as noted by others here the "Mum" has been ground with indicates this is a surrended weapon, this also lowers the value of the rifle. The type 30 rifle was used in schools and military academy and normally had the Mum over stuck indicating it was not in direct use of the military or the emperor. If this was the type 30 rifle the over struck Mum were not normally ground for this reason.
IF it had one vent hole it would be a type 99 7.7mm. The type 38 is the earlier model rifle the Japanese adopted for service from about 1905. Early in the war (before Pearl Harbor) the Japanese decided to change their standard service rifle cartridge from 6.5mm to 7.7mm and developed the type 99 for this 7.7mm, I'm guessing because they were encountering allied weapons of 303 & 30-06 calibers and seeing the effects. Anyway they made the move, but unfortunately never completed the change out. My Dad (a WWII Vet Pacific area) had indicated to me that they had over taken Japanese positions late in the war and found the main weapon on site was the type 38, but found large supplies of 7.7mm ammo!
I've also read the indivdual Japanese soldier liked the type 38 because of the reduced recoil and better accuracy. Looking at the type 38 and the type 99 together and you'll see the type 38 is a better constructed weapon then the type 99. But they both had exceptionally strong receivers, even surpassing the mauser and 03 springfield weapons. Only when they tried casting the receiver late in the war, in early "investment type casting" did they lose the strength and picked up the name "Jap junk" ...Something the U.S. military suite to perpetuate, and has for the most part stuck around until now. The Arisaka rifle has collected a conciderable following as of late, with the type 99 in lead of the want list. There are other variations to these rifles but the type 38 & 99 were the top pre-war and war time productions. Basic rifles fetch between $150 to $350 depending on condition. Hope you find this useful, good luck! ...Mark

rzepko6194

The bolt serial number matches the receiver. Here are the additional photos:

[img][/img]http://s118.photobucket.com/albums/o119/rzepko6194/?action=view&current=jap3.jpg
[img][/img]http://s118.photobucket.com/albums/o119/rzepko6194/?action=view&current=jap6.jpg
[img][/img]http://s118.photobucket.com/albums/o119/rzepko6194/?action=view&current=jap7.jpg
[img][/img]http://s118.photobucket.com/albums/o119/rzepko6194/?action=view&current=jap8.jpg
[img][/img]http://s118.photobucket.com/albums/o119/rzepko6194/?action=view&current=jap9.jpg

Thanks!

paul s

It is a Type 38 Calvary rifle, 6.5 cal.

Emmett Dunham

I have a Model 38 with the flower untouched and all of the part numbers match, I was told it is worth two hundred fifty bucks. If you do a search on the web you will find a site with all of the info on your rifle or go over to Parallax web site there is a link. There is a fourm on you rifle at Parallax.

Nice rifle


Emmett

rzepko6194

Thanks guys!

p3skyking

I concur on the Type 38. It was made at Kokura Arsenal. It should be safe to fire after a safety inspection.