Cleaning Rod Retaining Nut?

I just purchased a Model 38. Have it completely disassembled for cleaning. There is a cutout in the stock at the end of the cleaning rod where a nut is normaly found on similar vintage rifles but no nut on this rifle. The end of the cleaning rod is threaded. Is the only method of retaining the cleaning rod on the M38 the spring clip on the front of the stock or is there supposed to also be a nut in the stock and mine is missing ?

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Originally Posted by rivets1

Is the only method of retaining the cleaning rod on the M38 the spring clip on the front of the stock

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Yes. The spring that holds the front barrel band on retains the cleaning rod too. It does not thread into the stock also if you were wondering that too.
I think it's ingenious, but I guess the Japanese didn't because on the Type 99 the cleaning rod is contained with a button and the barrel band is retained by some screws.