Estate Auction find: Mukden Type 38 Carbine (Lots of pictures)

[lthilsdorf]

Found another Japanese rifle at an auction this weekend, this time mislabeled simply as "Military Rifle". I placed an absentee bid and won for $300. THe transfer fee from the gun shop the auction used was $50 though! Oh well.

The rifle itself is a Mukden Type 38 Carbine. The condition isn't quite as great as the Type 44 I found a few weeks ago. This one clearly sat in a basement or somewhere wet for far too long. I even found mouse crap in the action!! Most of it appears to be just surface rust, but the butt plate and magazine floorplate seem especially hit. I have not yet taken it out of the action, as I just made it home an hour ago. From what I see the numbers match, including the bolt, rear sight, and floorplate. Bayonet lug didn't have any numbers on it and the bolt stop seems to have a different number. Maybe that will match the assembly number under the stock? I'm not an expert by any means on which numbers coincide with what on these Type 38's.

It is missing the dust cover and the mum has been ground. Seems like there was a bit of grease and cosmoline that protected the inside of the receiver a bit. The stock appears in excellent condition too. Even still has the cartouches on the wrist, though I have no idea what they mean. Maybe someone here can explain them a bit more.

I plan on using 0000 Steel wool to remove the active rust. Obviously nothing else will be done to it and I'll be taking it slowly. I've wanted a nice Type 38 Carbine for some time, so I'm glad to also cross this one off the list. It's been a pretty good summer in terms of finding Japanese rifles at auctions, haha!

Any thoughts? Appreciate the help as awlays!

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[gtodan]

Interesting find. How is the bore? A detailed cleaning with Kroil should clear up alot of the rust and stop it from forming new.

[mmppres]

use some stainless wool am kroil or ballistol I get the wool from food store section were they sell the dish washing soap. Just make sure its 100% stainless. will remove rust but not the bluing . I have used it a few time with great results.

[browningautorifle]

Nice catch for that money. I'd be on it with the steel wool and oil and a complete but very careful strip and clean. That rifle should come out near perfect. How IS the bore?

[lthilsdorf]

The bore looks really nice. I plan on shooting this one when I'm able to get the change. Should do a good job.

The steel wool did a good job cleaning up the general surface rust. I'm gonna take a better look at it when I can get it out in the sunlight. Right now just the butt plate and magazine plate are still rusted. I guess Kroil isn't something I can find locally, so I may need to order it. Any other ideas on removing the built up layers of rust on those two spots?

[gtodan]

I use a generous amount of kroil to soak em in. Then scrub them with Kroil and a stainless toothbrush(Harbor Freight).

The bore looks really nice. I plan on shooting this one when I'm able to get the change. Should do a good job.

The steel wool did a good job cleaning up the general surface rust. I'm gonna take a better look at it when I can get it out in the sunlight. Right now just the butt plate and magazine plate are still rusted. I guess Kroil isn't something I can find locally, so I may need to order it. Any other ideas on removing the built up layers of rust on those two spots?

[lthilsdorf]

Thanks everyone! I ordered a can of it, so when it comes in I'll finish the job and post some finished restoration photos.

[gustav1901]

thanks for the post. I'v added several military rifles to my collection at auctions here in New Hampshire. i had to pay for some and have got some great deals over the years. keep hunting..

[kar66]

Don't use steel wool or stainless steel wool or you will remove blue. Get some bronze wool and a brass brush then you won't remove any blue. It will leave a brass film but with a little oil and work with a toothbrush that will come off. You will be surprised how much blue is under that surface rust.

[browningautorifle]

Don't use steel wool or stainless steel wool or you will remove blue.

The steel wool did a good job cleaning up the general surface rust.

Too late, he's cleaned it and is happy. I wish you guys would get over it. The rifle is rusted and not a mint piece...