Japanese Arisaka Type 38 (I think)

[janedoedad]

Picked this up at yard sale today. Any help, advice and information is most appreciated.

It looks like a Looks like a T-38 but has no marks identifying it as Japanese.
There is no Mum or other markings on the receiver.
The rear sight is stamped "33" at the top of the ladder and front of the mount.
The Firing Pin assembly, Bolt and Receiver are stamped "65".
The bayonet Lug has a very small and faint "8" near what may be a pictogram or larger "1". I can't tell which.
The magazine is missing spring and plates.
Two pictograms are marked on the underside of the top stock, couldn;t get a clear picture of those, sorry.



More pictures here: www.photobucket.com/jddarisaka

Thanks Much!

JDD

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

That is certainly an Arisaka bolt and firing pin. Are there areas on the top of the receiver that appear to be ground? The identifying markings in Japanese characters should be along the left side of the receiver. There are several websites which will give you the meanings to identify when and where it was made if it is an Arisaka, and I believe it is.

 

[janedoedad]

Thanks. The receiver has no signs of grinding. The Front Sight and Safety are from early versions of the T-38. The absence of a serial number and arsenal marks are indicitive of the so-called 'last ditch' models. Weird.

 

[Jim K]

WARNING WARNING

That is NOT a real rifle; it is a training rifle and was intended for firing ONLY blanks. It should not be fired with any kind of live ammunition.

Those were made for the Japanese school training programs (high school level). The receivers are cast iron and the barrels are usually a simple iron or steel pipe. The barrel is fitted into a chamber that is separate from the barrel. It looks like that one has a chamber that unscrews from the receiver, but in some the chamber is cast as part of the receiver.

Those training rifles are interesting and collectible in themselves, partly because of the large variety made by a number of different small and large metal fabrication companies, but I strongly suggest you attach a tag that is not easily removable, saying it is not to be fired, or even grind the tip off the firing pin.

Jim

 

[JT-AR-MG42]

I definitely second JKs evaluation and also strongly recommend hanging the tag to identify it.

These trainers are the guns that gave the post-war dangerous reviews to the Japanese rifles.

Has the sling been cut? Trainer slings are fairly rare, so maybe get a good pic of it.
Also, maybe try a close picture or two of the characters inside the handguard and one of the right buttstock marking.
At least I think I see one on there.
Try the close photos in natural light with the item in light shade.

Thanks for sharing, JT

 

[303tom]

Not really sure but that may be a Type 99 not a 38, Ill have to do some more looking.............could be a trainer.

 

[303tom]

It`s a Type 38 trainer.............

 

[janedoedad]

Thanks for the replies. Very much appreciated!

JT- Only one piece of the sling came with the rifle and it tore off at the swivel. Will try to get better pictures late in the week.

Spent a few hours researching on Arisaka sites. No doubt this is a T-38 training rifle.

Now to find a collector who wants this. . .

Thanks again!

 

[Jim K]

There are several things to look for on trainers.

1. The upper tang is cast as part of the receiver.
2. There are no or few markings, no arsenal mark, no "mum" (and no sign it was ground).
3. No Type marking.
4. No serial number or a short one, two or three digits (some people have been told by sellers that the gun was "experimental" or "an early gun.")
5. No rifling in the barrel (a few were made from worn Type 38 barrels, though)
6. The trigger guard is cast and the tang is cast as part of it.
7. The bolt often has no locking lugs in front, or only very small ones.
8. The rear sight is loose, crudely made and without a proper spring.
9. The stock is made in one piece, unlike the two piece stock on standard rifles.

Any of these characteristics should at least arouse suspicion; more than one should remove doubt.

Jim

 

[303tom]

What did you give for it ? Maybe we could work out something................

 

[murdoc rose]

Wonderful find.

 

[janedoedad]

Jim K- Pretty much meets all those requirements. Thanks for the very useful information.

303 Tom - PM Sent