Confirm Type 38 original

[kenr602]

Hi all, I recently inherited a sporterized type 38. When I hunted with it as a kid my Dad and Grandfather just referred to it as "the Jap" rifle but never shared particular ammo. I believe it is still chambered to 6.5x50. I don't see marking to indicate a .257 or similar on the barrel. Short of having the gun slugged or cast is it possible to make a reasonable determination that the gun is indeed a 6.5x50 based on the markings and serial numbers? The serial number is 51451 and I've attached a pic of the markings.

Attachment 82036Attachment 82036

Information

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[Aragorn243]

All Type 38's as made were 6x5. What someone converted them into after the war is not going to show up in any markings unless they themselves stamped a new chambering on it. Odds are, it is still in the original caliber but you should check to make sure.

[bob q]

The popular conversion was to 6.5x57mm or 6.5mm/ .257 Roberts . The rifle still had the original 6.5mm barrel , just the chamber reamed longer to let you use .257 Roberts brass with a .6.5mm bullet in it . It was not meant to shoot .257 Roberts [ other than to fire form the brass ] as the .257 dia bullet in a .266 dia groove would have poor accuracy . If your rifle will CHAMBER a .257 Roberts cartridge , it was rechambered . If it will not it should be 6.5x50 Japanese . Even if you fire a 6.5mm J in it and it IS 6.5mm /.257, it will not really hurt anything .

[kenr602]

Thanks for the quick replies. I took out the bolt today and found what looks like another piece of evidence. The bolt itself seems to be hand stamped with .260. I assume likely the same thing as .257/6.5? Now to get the bolt back in, kinda fun to re-learn the gun that I used as a 12 y.o.

Attachment 82141

[Aragorn243]

That's the assembly number. Probably find it on other bolt parts and if you are lucky the rest of the rifle. It is different than the serial number on early rifles.