I just went to a local gun auction and won a Arisaka type 38 in 6.5 JAP. I have always kind of wanted one after my grandpa had one years ago. I don’t know if he had a type 38 or a type 99, and I don’t know which is more desirable, but I have heard that the earlier type 38 rifles were built better. Ammo seems pretty expensive, but I figured it would be at least a couple bucks a round. It has a lot of dings in it, but the overall fit is very good and it seems to be pretty solid. The serial number is in the 438,000 range so I think it was built between 1915 and 1920. It was said that this rifle has one of the strongest actions of any bolt gun fr it’s era so I would assume it’s safe to shoot with any current production ammo.

It’s missing the cleaning rod, dust cover, as well as the monopod, but I don’t care. It still has the chrysanthemum stamp, but there are three lines through it so I guess it could be worse as many were completely ground off. I assume this means it was decommissioned and not a battlefield pick up.

One question I did have was to the finish on the stock as I have read where some of them have a URISOL based finish, which is very problematic if you were to ever sand the gun stock as the dust is much like poison sumac, and will irritate the skin. I also heard that the early ones were coated in boiled linseed oil instead so I don’t know which mine has? Either way I would assume as long as I just use it normally and don’t sand it I should never have a problem, right?

I would love to know more about this rifle as I have just started to do more research, and if you own one, share it and your story about it, please.

Here are a couple of quick pictures I took. I actually have to pick it up this week as I just won it yesterday.

This was a question I posted a few years ago and got some good information.

https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...470098494#8470098494

The son & I have one bought about 10 years ago, average condition. There should be an ‘arsenal’ stamped that designates where it was made.

I did some reloading for ours, casual shooting. I do have historical pictures on my IPad showing 10’s of thousands of Japanese rifles loaded in barges to be dumped in the ocean after WWII. As we know, it was much easier to bring back rifles back in that time.

quote:

Originally posted by sourdough44:
There should be an ‘arsenal’ stamped that designates where it was made.

This symbol will be on the left side of the receiver, next to the serial number.

Based on the 430k serial, it should be the Koishikawa Arsenal in Tokyo (the most common arsenal) whose symbol was a series of 4 interlocked circles representing a top-down look at a stack of four cannonballs.

date is dependent on if it has a series mark or not,

if it does not have a series mark at the serial, it may be from a more earlier date range

quote:

Originally posted by lyman:
date is dependent on if it has a series mark or not,

if it does not have a series mark at the serial, it may be from a more earlier date range

Not if it's a 438k serial number.

The series marked rifles only went up to a maximum of 99,999 within each series.

So a 438,000 numbered Type 38 would be from the earlier, consecutively marked numbering system that predated the series system (that didn't begin until 1933).

But if it were a 43,800 numbered rifle, you would be correct that it could fall within any number of series ranges.


However, I do believe it's likely earlier than 1915-1920. Type 38 production hit serial number 1 Million in 1917. So 438k would likely be in the very early 1910s.

The workmanship in the close-up (center photo) is very evident.

Yeah it has the cannonballs pattern like you showed Rogue.

So is it boiled linseed oil or Ashuri coated?

They transitioned from BLO in the early 30s. So likely BLO, unless the stock was replaced. But it looks like BLO.

If you're planning to refinish it (please don't), keep in mind that the BLO used back then was actual linseed oil that was heated, whereas the "BLO" sold in stores today is a little bit of oil mixed with a bunch of petrochemical additives, thinners, and drying agents. You can still get pure linseed oil online, often through art supply or woodworking stores and sold as raw linseed oil or polymerized linseed oil, but it takes quite a bit longer to dry than the modern quasi-"BLO" from the hardware store.

Cleaning rod

I have one as well. The previous owner had the bolt handle cut off, bent in a downward fashion and rewelded on. It does have the mum intact which is nice.

Not sure if this woill help:
Type 99

It's a Type 38, not a Type 99.

This book by Allan is considered the best reference on the Type 38:
https://www.amazon.com/Type-38...c6-b046-b01ed1329088

Previously it was available in print, but it looks like he's transitioned to ebook format with the revised edition.

I once saw an Arisaka, couldn’t tell you what type, that was brought back, after it’s original owner had been relieved of ownership, you could see where blood had soaked into the stock and there were areas of metal rusted away from coming into contact with blood that was never wiped off.

Good I was hoping the Google search was wrong as it said they started with Urishi and later went to BLO. I won’t refinish it it is staying like it is and I’ll enjoy it just fine. Thanks for the info I appreciate it guys.