Japanese Militaria at Castle-Thunder.com

BBB · Joined: Mar 27 2011 Posts: 3

Last weekend I won a Type 30 rifle at an auction. (couldn't pass up the condition it's in). I was wondering if anyone has seen these markings on the stock before.

One side of the stock has a small plate with '7' on it:

The other side has '47' painted on it:

47 is also stamped on the receiver behind the bolt:

Might as well show off the rest of the rifle Smile

gwsiii · Joined: Aug 21 2003 Posts: 2240 Location: Hayden, AL

BBB welcome to the forum. Nice rifle! Those are likely rack numbers of some sort. Normally the mum is overstamped with the Tokyo Arsenal logo when pulled from service for non-active Japanese military use. Could you post some better photos of the two markings on the barrel above the mum (below the rear sight)? Be sure to fill out a Type 30 Datasheet for Frank Allan, he should be along to fill in some of the blanks. Thanks for posting! Trey
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BBB · Joined: Mar 27 2011 Posts: 3

Thanks gwsiii! Here's a pic of the two markings:

Edit: added better pic of the side markings:

Also some markings on the side of the receiver. Outlined the right one due to the glare

gwsiii · Joined: Aug 21 2003 Posts: 2240 Location: Hayden, AL

The top mark in the first photo above is
Hai -

- discard/trash is usually stamped on the receiver of rifles deemed no longer usable and decommissioned from active military service. I've seen it on Type 30s and Type 35s.

The second I can't figure out. For the record, I'm billingually illiterate, I can't read or write in two or more languages.....

These are final inspection stamps.
The first one I've seen, but can't really decide which one it is.

The second one (right) is
Hiko -

This information above from The Early Arisakas - by FC Allan, D. White, S. Zielinski

Frank had a death in the family, but should be along in a few days to comment.
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

Francis C. Allan · Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 3:15 pm Post subject: T-30 barrel step markings

Sorry I have been unavailable for a while.

The barrel step markings are 廃銃 (Hai-ju), "Discarded Weapon" a variation that is unusual but not unique. HAI indicates discard or scrap as Trey noted. Usually this appears alone, but we have encountered it with the weapon notation previously. Thanks to Edokko for the confirmation of the translation.

The weapon was undoubtedly assigned as a trainer. Very nice condition. Great find.

Frank
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Francis C. Allan
20Courtney Place
Palm Coast, FL 32137

(386) 445-4225

Francis C. Allan · Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 3:24 pm Post subject: Final Inspection Marks

I forgot to mention the the final inspection marks are interesting. The first one to the right of the arsenal logo is a stylized depiction that I have not encountered previously. Very interesting.

The second mark is common. It is HIKO and is part of an as yet unidentified inspector's name at the Tokyo Arsenal.

Frank
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Francis C. Allan
20Courtney Place
Palm Coast, FL 32137

(386) 445-4225

BBB · Joined: Mar 27 2011 Posts: 3

Thanks for the input Frank and gwsii!

Did they convert rifles to trainers that fired live ammunition or only blanks? I ask because this one doesn't have a smooth bore and instead has good rifling shown here (it's not pitted/rough like the picture shows, that's due to the poor quality of the picture):

gwsiii · Joined: Aug 21 2003 Posts: 2240 Location: Hayden, AL

The ones converted to true trainers, have different markings on the receiver. Yours would have probably used normal ammunition. Trey
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!