Japanese Militaria at Castle-Thunder.com

[Simi Mike]

Hello Group-
I'm new to Japanese rifles. My Father-in-law, who was in WWII, recently gave me a rifle he took from a Japanese. I've been looking all over the place, on different websites, to find out what type of rifle it is. It has the dust cover over the bolt assembly, short barrel, and bayonet. I found this webpage: http://members.shaw.ca/nambuworld/t38carbine.htm
This is the rifle, I think, I have. It's been sitting in his closet for over
65 years. Should I leave it original, or strip it down and refinish the stock?
What is this rifle worth? Any info would be appreciated.
Simi Mike
Beautiful Simi Valley, California

[gwsiii]

Mike, welcome to the forum! There are some more pictures of rifles here, one of which is a type 38 carbine, also take a look at the Japanese Rifle Datasheet Page and get you a copy of the Type 38 datasheet. Let us know what arsenal/series/serial number you've got, whether or not the numbers on the bolt, bayonet lug, and other parts match the last three digits of the serial number. Once we've got all that, we can figure out a value. Do Not, Do Not, refinish the rifle. I have taken 2 - $100 closet guns recently, bought them on Saturday, cleaned them saturday night, and been offered twice what I paid on Sunday. Had I refinished them over night, I'd have been lucky to get my money back. Let me know if you have any questions. 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!

[Simi Mike]

Hello Trey-
Yes, after reading your post, I found the serial #. It is a Toyko
(Koishikawa) 1870-1935 #21608. My father-in-law said he never
touched it, since he brought it home, so I'm guessing - -- the
numbers probably all match. I'll write them down, as I'm cleaning
the areas where there located. I had to wipe the area where the
serial number was located, cause it was covered with dirt, dust, etc.
Thanks a million for the info you posted. It helped me alot.
Simi Mike

[gwsiii]

Check for the series mark to the left of the serial number in a circle. If there is one and its a square, its a Kokura Arsenal (same mark as Tokyo/Koishikawa) 2nd series carbine, very desirable. If there is no series mark, It is a Tokyo/Koishikawa Carbine, and just as desirable if its in nice condition. If you have a digital camera, or know someone that does, get some pics and post them.

For cleaning, use nickel or bronze wool (first choice) or 0000 steel wool, and wd40 on the metal. Several light cleanings are better than one heavy one. Don't worry with taking the screws out at this point. You can also spray the wood down with wd40, and rub off with paper towels or a soft cloth to clean it, don't use anything else on the wood, some people use furniture polish, but this causes a waxy build up over time. Let me know how it turns out. Any history to the rifle? 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!

[Simi Mike]

Hello Trey -
Check the rifle for a symbol, to the left of the serial number. Only thing I found, was actually where the barrel starts (which is to the left of the serial number.) There was a circle, with a stamped triangle in the middle of the circle. Don't know if that means anything.
Only history on the gun, was - - - what I mentioned before. It was given to me, by my father-in-law that took it from a Japanese soldier in WWII. He told me, he's had it in his closet for over 65 years. He hasn't done anything with it, and it definitely needs to be cleaned. The rifle has some
rust on different metal parts. Hope some wool will clean it up. It came with the barrel cap and bayonet also. It looks like its all there, but needs some TLC. I'll try to clean the appearance up over the next week, and post some pictures. Its a twin to that T-38 on that webpage listed in my
previous post.
My father-in-law gave it to me, because he is not doing too well, and he never had a son. I have his ONLY daughter. He gave me another rifle that is very old, probably in the 1800's. He said, it belonged to his father when he was a kid. Its a Marlin, lever action, I think, a 22 rifle. Octogan barrel, no rust, pretty nice shape. It has old patient dates stamped on the barrel, starting with Jan 18, 1887, Jan 2, 1889, Aug 12, 1890, and March 1, 1892. I saw one similar to this on gun broker, that was going for around $1500. Of course, if you don't have a buyer willing to pay that - -then its not worth that amount.
Thanks for all the info you posted. I will get some pictures posted within the week.
Simi Mike

[gwsiii]

If no series mark, and stacked cannon ball arsenal mark, then its Tokyo Arsenal, looking forward to the pictures. When you get a chance, please fill out one of the Type 38 datasheets and send to Frank Allan, his address is on the bottom of the sheet. Let us know how it comes out. 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!