38 Long Rifle from WWII. Great Shape!!

[Twin Digger]

Hello I thought I would try to get some unsovled answer's. My father passed away and before he did he gave me this Rifle from WWII. I have alittle bite of history on it, but my searching for more has come slow. I'd like some help with what model and or series because most of the picture's I have researched show's different stock and no beyonet holder. But My Father said this is the real deal.

Thanks for helping me out in this. Also what's with the Marking's?

Twin Digger

[nhbenz]

I believe you'll find the markings here: http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/japanese_markings.html

[EDDE]

its a model 99 Arisaka Rifle
the mutilation of the royal chrysanthemum seal
"One of the final standing orders of the Imperial Army was to file off the Emperor's family chrysanthemum insignia, or mon, from each of the rifles, thereby preventing dishonor from having the symbol fall into surrender"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arisaka_rifle
the reason for the chop on front wood someone cut it off to make it "Elmer Fudd sporty"

[Twin Digger]

Eddie Help[ me out here!!! Why is it the stock dose not have the indent on both side's? That is why I am questioning the type of gun and year?? I have not seen any other Rifle with a stock like mine. Even when I search for the Arisaka 38 or 99 I do not see the gun I have. The barrel is 800mm long (Not Short)

Look at my picture and then look at the 99 online.

Thanks and let's investigate this longer.

Twin Digger

[EDDE]

my theory is its not "all original" the barrel has been cut down
and the wood cut down also
but i will delve deeper into it
or possible one of Japans last ditch weapons
they ran short of materials wood etc so they slapped it together

[Twin Digger]

I took More pictures and will get them out soon. You'll be able to see what I mean.

Thanks

Twin Digger

[EDDE]

[cuzcosquirrel]

The Kanji on the barrel say it is a type 38. I think the mark on the side behind the serial number is the Kogana arsenal. It looks like the mum was defaced when Japan disarmed; so it was probably turned in, defaced, and sold. Someone has shortened and sporterized the stock on it.

[RETREAD]

It looks like a TYPE 38 Japanese rifle The caliber of almost all of these rifles was the 6.5 Japanese. The rifle has been sporterized sometime since WWII. A not uncommon fate. The mutilated Chysanthemum was the seal of the Japanese Emperor, considered a god. There is a lot of conficting information as to who and when this was accomplished. The bore is still in excellent condition as the bores of these rifles were chrome plated. As a sporterized example, value probably would not exceed 150.00 or so.
More information will be found on www.gunboards.com on the Japanese weapons forum.
These are very nice shooting, low recoiling, accurate rifles.

[BIG61AL]

I remember seeing a program on the military channel about Japanese rifles with a real large sight assembly like yours. It was used to aim at aircraft at a distance to allow a very high arc trajectory to hit the target. They said it was innovative but not practical in actual usage.

[rmptr]

Yup!

'Tis a Type 38 Arisaka.

[silvercop]

[blurr]

I agree with the others. I don't know about a "last ditch" version though. From what I remember, the last ditch versions were quite crude. They used stamped parts, and didn't have the graduated rear sights. Either way, it's a nice sporterized war trophy. My Grandpa brought one back from his time in the Phillipines.

John

[NHBandit]

It is a type 38 that has been "sporterised" which means someone cut the stock down to turn it into a hunting rifle. While that was a common thing back in the 50s & 60s the cost of ammo for these now makes it not so popular. Not much value to a collector in this condition and little value as a shooter either. "Last ditch" rifles were type 99 rifles made near the end of the war and were very crude & quickly assembled. Barrel bands were typically welded on, stocks were made of more than one piece of wood glued together and also had a wooden buttplate.