i have an arisaka type 30 in beautiful condition with mum intact (it looks like there are 0's struck on it in two places but thats it) it has serial number 231777 and i was wondering when this would have been made and what its value is.
arisaka type 30
- Thread starter spydergt
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
There is no Type 30 that I know of.
So it might be a Type 38.
You can go to this website and match your markings and I.D. it.
I can't make them out clearly in your photos.
http://www.cruffler.com/trivia-September00.html
Value is what you can get out of it.
This one just sold for $142.00 on Auction Arms about a week ago.
http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=10125267
rc
So it might be a Type 38.
You can go to this website and match your markings and I.D. it.
I can't make them out clearly in your photos.
http://www.cruffler.com/trivia-September00.html
Value is what you can get out of it.
This one just sold for $142.00 on Auction Arms about a week ago.
http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=10125267
rc
jimmyraythomason
Member
Actually,RC there is. It was introduce into service in 1897 in 6.5mm. Note the "hook" safety. There was also a carbine version. Sorry,OP but i cant help with dating it.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Well O.K. then!
Disregard my last transmission!!
That one done slipped my mind!
rc
Disregard my last transmission!!
That one done slipped my mind!
rc
jimmyraythomason
Member
There may be some useful information here;
this is all it says: "These are easily identified by the hook shaped safety on the back of the bolt. This and all models until the Type 99 have a bore diameter of 6.5mm.". this is where i got most of my info on the type 30 http://members.shaw.ca/ursacki/t30pix.htm
jimmyraythomason
Member
The Japanese symbols and characters charts didn't help at all?
Aren't we all
Member
Well, the type 30 was only made from 1897 to 1902.
Value would probably be a little higher than your run of the mill arisaka, maybe 300-350?
Value would probably be a little higher than your run of the mill arisaka, maybe 300-350?
jimmyraythomason
Member
I thought production ran into 1907.
jimmyraythomason
Member
I know it was the main Japanese service arm from 1897 to 1905 when it was replaced by the Type 38 (1905).
There certainly was a Type 30. The guns are marked "30 Year Type" (later model markings dropped the "year"). There were around 550,000 made, all at Tokio Arsenal, with production beginning in October 1899 and continuing into 1906, so that one would have been made about midway through production. The Type 30 was the standard Japanese infantry rifle from 1899 to 1906, when the Type 38 was adopted. There was also a carbine version.
Though obsolete by WWII, many were still in use and many more were in depot storage where they would have been used against an Allied invasion. The caliber is the standard 6.5, the same as the Type 38.
The chrysanthemum overstamped with a punch or an "o" mark indicates the gun was taken out of service and turned over to a school or college military program. In this case, the rifle was probably taken from a school rather than from a military depot as many "bringback" rifles were. (Forget the "taken off a Jap general in hand-to-hand combat" business on this one.)
If the finish is original (they were nicely rust blued), I would WAG a value around $600, but that might be low.
Jim
Though obsolete by WWII, many were still in use and many more were in depot storage where they would have been used against an Allied invasion. The caliber is the standard 6.5, the same as the Type 38.
The chrysanthemum overstamped with a punch or an "o" mark indicates the gun was taken out of service and turned over to a school or college military program. In this case, the rifle was probably taken from a school rather than from a military depot as many "bringback" rifles were. (Forget the "taken off a Jap general in hand-to-hand combat" business on this one.)
If the finish is original (they were nicely rust blued), I would WAG a value around $600, but that might be low.
Jim
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If the barrel is in good shape and headspace checks out, I see no reason not to shoot it. I have fired mine with no problems.
FWIW, there is some mistake on the 1897 date; that was the start of production of the short-lived Type 29 rifle. The Type 30 was adopted in February, 1899 (due to the different calendars, that was still Year 30 of the Meiji reign) so it could not have been in production in 1897.
Jim
FWIW, there is some mistake on the 1897 date; that was the start of production of the short-lived Type 29 rifle. The Type 30 was adopted in February, 1899 (due to the different calendars, that was still Year 30 of the Meiji reign) so it could not have been in production in 1897.
Jim
jimmyraythomason
Member
Just passing along information found in the book "Guns of the World,The Complete Collector's and Trader's Guide". copyright 1972 rev.1977. Peterson Press.
Unfortunately, some books are wrong. Obviously, I was not at Tokio Arsenal at the time (I know some folks think I am that old, but I am not), but I went by Fred Honeycutt's book, which is a lot more detailed and better researched. Plus the marking clearly says "30 year" which would have been 1898-1899, not 1897.
Just FWIW, I took a look at mine and it is number 204. Probably first week of production if not first day.
Jim
Just FWIW, I took a look at mine and it is number 204. Probably first week of production if not first day.
Jim
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jimmyraythomason
Member
Not arguing with ya Jim. I know you are the Arisaka guru around here. I can't vouch for the accuracy of any research material that isn't actual factory records. Either way the difference between 1897 and 1899 isn't anything to be concerned about. Neither is the ending date of 1905 or 1907. It matters not a whit.
Jimmyray is right; it doesn't really matter, but for some reason folks like to know those things. Of course, the difference between 1897 and 1899 production legally is that the former is an antique and the latter a modern gun, but I can't imagine anyone really caring one way or another about an old bolt action rifle.
Jim
Jim
jimmyraythomason
Member
You are absolutely right! Good point. I hadn't thought of that at all!
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