Japanese Militaria at Castle-Thunder.com

[DJForresta]

My father was on the Destroyer Hyman in WWII and took the surrender and besides being hit and almost sunk off Okinawa by a Kamakazi they later took the surrender on two Islands. Ponapi an Kusaie. Anyway he took a pistol off a Japanese officer. It wasn't a Nambu but a Rubi pistol Manufactured in Spain for the french in WW!. In my research I've found that 50,000 of these pistols were sold to the Japanese military in the early 30's. They are 32 caliber hammerless automatic. Has anyone else seen one of these taken off the Japenese? Also my father in law has a very clean complete type 38 his father brought back from the pacific. He was in the Marine corps and fought on several islands including Tarawa. I was looking at the rifle and it was complete down to the sling and bayo. We could not figure out how to release the cleaning rod though. All numbers match and there are three flowers stamped on top of the reciever. It also has a bent bolt handle. My fathers Type 99 he brought with the pistol has a staight bolt. Any input would be appreciated.

[gwsiii]

Welcome to the forum! Sounds like you have some nice heirlooms. The Japanese officers generally furnished their own side arms early on through private purchase and contract foreign pistols were quite popular due to their low price. Most are identified by their Japanese style holsters, very few (of any manufacturer) are Japanese marked. Your carbine has probably had the bolt turned down, but it is also possible that it has Type 97 sniper bolt in it. Are there any extra markings on the pistol, and did it come with a holster? If you can post pictures of each, with close ups of the markings, we might be able to tell you a little bit more about your trophys. Thanks for posting! Trey
_________________
Subscribe to BANZAI!
Fill out a Japanese Rifle Datasheet.
I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

[Edokko]

Yes, post up some photos of the T-38 and we can give you the skinny on it. The locations to photograph are, 1) top of receiver, 2) left of receiver at the serial number location, 3) bolt, 4) overall, both left and right.
Also check and advise marked numbers on the following locations, 1) bayonet lug (if any), 3) bolt handle base. 4) bolt safety knob, 5) extractor (if any), 6) firing pin (if any), 7) magazine floorplate.
The cleaning rod shall pull off by pressing down hard on the forward edge of the leaf spring on the underside of the front stock, immediately rear of the front barrel band.

[gwsiii]

Edokko, Thanks for the update/clarification, completely forgot about the cleaning rod question. This working for a living is for the birds.....Trey
_________________
Subscribe to BANZAI!
Fill out a Japanese Rifle Datasheet.
I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

[DJForresta]

I'll get some pics of his. I want to reload for both of these but I need to make sure my rifle is safe. My rifle is the type 99 I think. It is marked with the Nagoya arsenal mark after the serial number of 36078 and what looks to be a 6 series mark. A circle with a squiggly line through it. This is what I'm using for my source. http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/japanese_markings.html

I know some of these were last ditch junk and I don't want to blow myself up. The machine work on this rifle looks clean though so I'm not sure.

[gwsiii]

nevermind...I misread. 6th series should be fine to shoot. Please fill out a 99 datasheet (link in my signature) and send it to me when you get a chance, also do the same for the carbine for Frank Allan. Datasheets are located here. Trey
_________________
Subscribe to BANZAI!
Fill out a Japanese Rifle Datasheet.
I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

[DJForresta]

I've just snapped some photos of my type 99. I can't seem to email them to you though. My email. The pistol had a leather holster that was triangle shaped but we've lost it. It was kicked around for years as a toy but I've rescued it now. Dad had the firing pin removed. My grandfather in law didn't talk much about his service. What he did say was that it was ugly and he was one of only a few in his unit that made it out.

[DJForresta]

Got the email off with the pics

[gwsiii]

Looks to be a very nice 30k range 6th series rifle. Quality was still quite good when these were produced. Ought to be a blast to shoot. Trey
_________________
Subscribe to BANZAI!
Fill out a Japanese Rifle Datasheet.
I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

[DEFUC]

They're all safe to shoot ,the last ditch myth is just that, no army go out with dangerous weapons,well maybe the french,but if their just gonna be dropped anyway!!! unless they have been damaged or abused its all fine, Ive shot dozens of late war rifles, that includes 97000 range 11th series,ropehole 27's,navy specials,Jin SLD's and one extremely rare and priceless Muk-Jin series 45, that one made me pretty nervous,I mentioned the rare and priceless part & it wasnt mine,Ive even shot a couple trainers (dont try that at home) And would probably try the EUO if someone volunteered their rifle..The dangerous arisaka idea is purely a load of BS.

[DJForresta]

I found the holster for the pistol in a box today. I've been looking for it for years and I just stumpled onto it.

[gwsiii]

Great! send me some pics of it and I'll post them for you. Trey
_________________
Subscribe to BANZAI!
Fill out a Japanese Rifle Datasheet.
I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!