T38..What to look for

[Jet Fixer]

I have a line on what appears to be a nice looking Type 38. Very few on line photos though, which bothers me a little, so I am thinking about a face to face to look at it in person. Problem is I know next to nothing about Japanese T38s. Description says the bore is strong with a little greying at the base of the rifling, bolt is mis-matched (not unexpected) and there is no bolt cover. Also appears to be a cleaning rod, but don't know if it is right for the rifle. Question is, What are some of the things I should be looking for to decide if I should pull the trigger, or pull the plug on the deal? Also, what is a good price range to look at?

Thanks

Information

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[Patrick Chadwick]

bolt is mis-matched (not unexpected)

It sounds like you are looking for a shooter. A collector would only go for a perfect "mum", properly matching parts, including bolt cover and cleaning rod, and ignore a rifle with a mismatched bolt. This is the major worry point. You need to search the forums for measuring "head clearance" (note head clearance, not headspace as measured with gauges). A mismatched bolt, especially if it is from a late-war run when things were going badly, can result in a clearance that is so huge that the rifle misfires.

Description says the bore is strong with a little greying at the base of the rifling

That is the typical seller blah-blah that means just about nothing. Rifling can be "strong" but ruined by pitting and bell-mouthing of the muzzle or a badly eroded throat. Greying can mean that the bore is "leaded" and just needs a very good clean. What is underneath the grey can be shiny steel or rust pits. You can't tell until you have cleaned the bore. But if a seller is too lazy to clean the bore himself, which would make it more desirable (IF it is a good bore underneath) ask yourself "why?". Maybe he would rather not know what is beneath the grey?

This sounds like the kind of rifle that is very risky if you cannot inspect it yourself and make the proper judgements. If it is, for instance, being offered through an on-line auction and personal visual inspection is impossible, do not pay more than a wall-hanger price. Because there is a very good chance that that is what it is!


Patrick

[303Nut]

You say you know very little about the type 38 so you need to be very careful on this one. Do as much research as you can before you buy.

[Jet Fixer]

Thanks for the info. The seller has not contacted me about a FTF so that in itself is a red flag for me. Plus the fact that he says he doesn't have any other pictures. Time to pass on that one.

[Doug Rammel]

You say the bolt is mismatched which is to be expected. I find that the bolts on Jap rifles always match. I'd pass on this one. At the last Ohio gun collectors show. I checked about a dozen rifles and all matched. Ended up with a nice T-38 for 150.

[Jet Fixer]

The seller won't do a FTF meeting so I can look at it. That about says it all. Time to run, not walk, away from that deal.

[Patrick Chadwick]

Time to run, not walk, away from that deal.

Good decision. BTW, what's an FTF?


Patrick

[303Nut]

Good decision. BTW, what's an FTF?


Patrick

FTF=Face to Face...