Kokura mark vs Koishikawa mark

[Banjo1928]

Hi all! I have just acquired my first Japanese rifle. It is a Type 38 long rifle. The serial number is preceded by a series 25 symbol and followed by the four canon ball Koishikawa mark. Well that's what I thought but then I noticed in a publication that the Kokura arsenal has what looks like the same mark. Am I reading that right? If I am, is there a way to tell one from the other? Looking forward to hearing members thoughts. I just picked it up today so I have not had time for photographs but I will post them as soon as I can. Thanks all!

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[J-ROD]

If you have a series mark, it’s a Kokura rifle. Koishikawa rifles did not have series numbers. The old Koishikawa factory was destroyed in the Tokyo earthquake…lesson learned and the Japanese army decentralized arms production. With multiple arsenals, series numbers were assigned in blocks to each arsenal.


Here is a website that will help decipher your markings.
https://oldmilitarymarkings.com/japanese_markings.html

Hope this helps.

[Banjo1928]

If you have a series mark, it’s a Kokura rifle. Koishikawa rifles did not have series numbers. The old Koishikawa factory was destroyed in the Tokyo earthquake…lesson learned and the Japanese army decentralized arms production. With multiple arsenals, series numbers were assigned in blocks to each arsenal.


Here is a website that will help decipher your markings.
https://oldmilitarymarkings.com/japanese_markings.html

Hope this helps.

Yes, that explains a lot. I knew I was missing something. Thank you!

[J-ROD]

You’re welcome, glad to help.

[bob q]

No series are known as pre Godzilla rifles , it was not really an earthquake .

[J-ROD]

Here is historical proof!