Japanese Militaria at Castle-Thunder.com

[artyldr01]

Good Morning,

I am looking at an early, 5-digit (1906 if my understanding is right), Type 38 that is school marked on the mum and 00 marked by the serial number. It is also battle damaged by a bullet strike on the stock that grooved the magazine floor plate as well. It is un-defaced, has the cleaning rod, dust cover, and sling (though I don't think it is a correct sling).

What should I be looking for to ensure it is "correct?" IIRC, these were matched by assembly numbers, not SN? I also understand school rifles may have been mismatched anyway. The stock seems to have original finish and the metal is in good condition all considered.

My theory is that the damage would have come after the rifle was pressed back into service in WW2 since even a rifle pulled out of the line for school service would still have been at least repaired.

I apologize for the lack of photos. Any thoughts on the impact that being a school rifle, or being battle damaged does is appreciated as well. I rarely shoot most of my collection (I would never shoot this one, I'm sure) and collect primarily for the "I wish these weapons could talk" value. This one screams history but I'd like more expert insight.

Thanks!

[Francis C. Allan]

Matching on school rifles is iffy at best. If the damage was indeed done during WWII, it just as easily could have been done during an air raid than actual battle if the rifle was returned to service.

A five digit serial number is VERY early production. I sure wish this rifle could talk and tell us what it has seen!

Just a little input.

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

(386) 445-4225

[artyldr01]

I was pretty sure school rifles weren't necessarily "matching" but I wanted to make sure and make a mistake. I'm scheduled to get it Wednesday. I'll try and share photos when I get her!

[gwsiii]

I don't think I've ever seen a 'matching' school marked rifle. Note: I'm discussing Tokyo guns, not later double circles, and other series era school marked guns. I have a couple of 5 digit guns, and 1 or 2, 4 digit ones. I try to collect receiver markings as much as anything else...
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

[artyldr01]

That is what intrigues me. It likely saw service, was pulled from front line service to school service, back to wartime service. It has such a long history. Unique markings, a nice finish. I can't wait.