Japanese Militaria at Castle-Thunder.com

[davevanstaveren]

Some years ago I was given this rifle. Does anyone know what kind it is, what the marking says and what value it may have?

I have posted four links to photos of the rifle below.

Many thanks,

Dave...

http://home.comcast.net/~davevanstaveren/japanese_rifle/001.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~davevanstaveren/japanese_rifle/002.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~davevanstaveren/japanese_rifle/003.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~davevanstaveren/japanese_rifle/004.jpg

[gwsiii]

Dave, welcome to the forum. Do you have pictures of the top of the receiver and the serial number area, including the arsenal mark to the right, and series mark (if any) in a circle to the left of the serial number? I expect it is a Type 38 Long Rifle. The above mentioned pictures will confirm, and allow us to identify what you have. Thanks for posting. Trey
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[davevanstaveren]

Hi there Trey,

Thanks for responding.

The serial number is: 909423 followed by a symbol, sort of circular with three round corners if that's any type of explanation.

Then further up there is a letter "S" and a pyramid symbol.

Hope that's enough information.

Cheers and thanks,

Dave...

[davevanstaveren]

I forgot to mention that I will have to take some more shots of the serial number and symbol later on tonight.

cheers,

dave

---

Dave, welcome to the forum. Do you have pictures of the top of the receiver and the serial number area, including the arsenal mark to the right, and series mark (if any) in a circle to the left of the serial number? I expect it is a Type 38 Long Rifle. The above mentioned pictures will confirm, and allow us to identify what you have. Thanks for posting. Trey[/quote]

[gwsiii]

Dave, from your serial number, I'd say you have a Tokyo arsenal (4 stacked cannonballs) Type 38 long rifle. I'll have to see about getting the marks on your stock translated. You stock looks to have been stripped, or lightly sanded which would hurt value. What are the numbers on the bolt, floorplate, bayonet lug? Trey
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

[davevanstaveren]

Trey,

I was not able to get a good photo of the symbols as they are hard to see but this is what is basically on the rifle:

http://home.comcast.net/~davevanstaveren/japanese_rifle/symbols_serial.jpg

I cannot see any other numbers on it.

Dave...

[gwsiii]

Dave, its a Tokyo Type 38 Long rifle, there is normally a number on the bayonet lug, underside of bolt handle, safety, and extractor. There will also be numbers on the tangs, floorplate, triggerguard housing and mag box, that you'll only see completely if you take the rifle apart. A little over 2 million made without series mark. Receiver would have been stamped with the Royal Chrysanthemum, and have 3 characters below the mum signifying 3 8 Type. The mum may be ground off or 'cancelled'. Interesting rifles, a datasheet can be found here. I'll see about the characters on the stock. Value without knowing if its matching, and what 'goodies' are with it, $100-$150 as a shooter, maybe a little more if its not import marked on the underside of the barrel near the muzzle. Trey
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

[gwsiii]

Dave, markings translated by Edokko:

[davevanstaveren]

Thanks so much for the info Trey!

I am in the San Francisco Bay Area if anyone is interested in taking it off my hands.

I have some other items as well which I didn't get with the rifle but will try and post later on.

Again thanks,

Dave...

[gwsiii]

Thanks for the heads up Dave, we're always interested in 'fresh goodies.'
Glad to be of help. Trey
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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!