Japanese Militaria at Castle-Thunder.com

cwbrel · Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 3:09 pm Post subject: Sling Characters

Just got this T38, the sling is very brittle and broken, but these characters are on it

and I can't quite make out the characters after the arsenal mark

or these in the stock channel

There is also this on the stock

Thanks. Once I figure out what the number is on the dust cover, I'll send the data sheet.
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Curtis

It's been referred to as an addiction. I can live with that.

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

That looks like it will clean up really nice! Any chance there is an anchor in the stock?

The sling numbers (in yellow) look to be 1 9 then 5 4. Hopefully someone will come along and confirm/refute. We'll have to get Frank in to look at the other marks. Almost look like initials in the barrel channel. Thanks for posting! Trey
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Francis C. Allan · Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 8:48 am Post subject: Sling KANJI

The sling is marked with what we would call a "rack number" in Japanese characters. The first two (within the circle) are 一九 or 19 and the second group are 五四 or 54. The character on the butt of the stock is probably エ the katakana character for "e". Again it functioned as some sort of quick identifier, probably of a unit in that case.

Frank
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cwbrel · Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 4:59 pm Post subject:

Thanks.

Any suggestions on trying to preserve it given the extreme brittleness of the leather?
_________________
Curtis

It's been referred to as an addiction. I can live with that.

Francis C. Allan · Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 6:02 pm Post subject: Leather treatment

The museum people say to do nothing, but I don't buy that. I use a leather treatment called Picard that seems to be a great restorer and prevents further cracking (in my very humble opinion). Apply the Picard after cleaning with saddle soap. It is hard to find, but try a tackle and harness shop if you have one available.

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

(386) 445-4225

oopy38 · Joined: Aug 27 2003 Posts: 80

Picards is very good. I have used it for years. "Doing Nothing" just does not make good sense.

Jareth · Joined: Sep 21 2003 Posts: 65 Location: Queens, New York

Be fore warned Picards will darken the leather.

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

As Jareth says, Pecard's will darken the leather. Using leather treatment can be a double edged sword, almost all of it will change the color or feel of what it is applied to. Just be sure that you are comfortable with the benefits (preservation) vs. the risks (discoloration/texture change). Some of it feels sticky until you get it all rubbed in and absorbed. Trey
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cwbrel · Posted: Fri May 27, 2011 3:38 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys. Given the dark color and the poor condition of the sling I'll give it a try.
_________________
Curtis

It's been referred to as an addiction. I can live with that.