Japanese Militaria at Castle-Thunder.com

[Garandshtr]

Hello all!
I just got a very cool (to me, anyway) Type 38. Series 26, with a very interesting sling. That sling is what I'm wondering about today. This was an AA listing, from Jackthedog, and I just fell in love with this thing. The sling was just a cherry on top!
This seems to be leather, about 9 or possibly 10 thin strips, made into a braid. I read something, somewhere, about some slings that had a small leather tag with something. The front swivel has, in addition to the sling, a tiny leather tag, but I can't make out anything. Any chance any of you guys know something about slings like this? I'm attaching a pic, straight from the auction listing, that seems to give the best view of the sling.



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Still trying to learn what I can, mainly about the Type 99 and Type 38. I have more curiosity than time, and more time than money.

[Garandshtr]

That first pic shows the little leather tag, too.
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Still trying to learn what I can, mainly about the Type 99 and Type 38. I have more curiosity than time, and more time than money.

[gwsiii]

Very nice rifle! I don't think the sling is in any shape form or fashion Japanese, but it is does look nice on the rifle. The tag would have had maybe a name, but most likely a number or prayer on it at one time. Beautiful gun! Nice find. Trey
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

[Garandshtr]

Well, the sling is interesting, nonetheless. Do you think the little tag is Japanese? Something left by a soldier?
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Still trying to learn what I can, mainly about the Type 99 and Type 38. I have more curiosity than time, and more time than money.

[gwsiii]

I do think the tag is Japanese. I have 2-99s that had tags on them, a 23rd series and a 32 series, the 23rd is wood with kanji, and the 32nd is heavy cardboard or leather with kanji, both are attached by heavy coarse twine. I may not have even had them translated. I'll have to check. Maybe Edokko won't get mad at me for asking the same stupid question twice ....By the way, the wink is just about the only emoticon I use....
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

[Garandshtr]

Seems like there's always another!
I'll leave the tag in place. It seems like leather, but I can't make out any writing at all.
Next question now. I finally put the bolt in this rifle, and I noticed that the magazine floorplate does not lock the bolt back, like on my 99s and my other 38. It has a little bevel on it, so the bolt will push it down even on an empty magazine. Is that normal, or a post-Japan modification?
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Still trying to learn what I can, mainly about the Type 99 and Type 38. I have more curiosity than time, and more time than money.

[gwsiii]

I'm not knocking the sling, I just don't think its Japanese, the most aesthetically pleasing things they did with military equipment was the finish on the pistols and the rifles. Everything else was built for function, and strength. I think the elaborately woven stuff that looks new, is, and if truly war period in nature, was probably done in anticipation of some extra cokes, cigarettes, ice cream, or booze. The Rifle Sling Site has some pretty decent pictures of all country slings, including Japan, I'm not sure about 1 or 2, but that's just my opinion. I've looked at a whole lot more rifles than I have slings.
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

[gwsiii]

Make sure your follower is seated properly (flush in receiver). The bolt should lock back and require you to depress the follower to close it, swap followers and springs with your other 38, be sure not to mix the numbers on the floorplates and keep the other parts in the right rifle. Trey
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

[Garandshtr]

Don't misunderstand, I didn't buy the rifle because of the sling. I just thought it was a bonus for interesting points. The rifle is very nice. I'm very happy with it. I need to get a data sheet and send it to Frank. Still having trouble with printing from this laptop, so I have to go through some gyrations. If the sling came along afterwards, doesn't matter. I may have to keep it on, since I can't figure out how to get it off! I have some more pics, if you'd like.
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Still trying to learn what I can, mainly about the Type 99 and Type 38. I have more curiosity than time, and more time than money.

[gwsiii]

Pics are always appreciated. Post away! Its a lot of fun to show off a new toy!
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

[Garandshtr]

I'll try to get another picture of this. I think it is the follower, rather than the floorplate like I said before, that is different. Seems like this one has a little beveled corner, so the bolt will push it out of the way. It sounds like a "post production" modification. (Rather than calling it 'Bubba-d' just to be easy on me!)
Where is an easy pic of the Model 38/99 action, maybe exploded? I've had this problem before!
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Still trying to learn what I can, mainly about the Type 99 and Type 38. I have more curiosity than time, and more time than money.

[riceone]

Ohoooo, thats a pretty rifle. Jack has some of the nicest peice. Wish I had seen it first! riceone
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Most people who preach tolerance are very intolerate.

[gwsiii]

You absolutely can not go wrong with a 'pretty' Type 38....
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!