Type 38 worth

[yeldraw1]

I recently bought a Arisaka Type 38. 1st time I have ever owned one. I gave 150.00 for the rifle. It was from a good friend of mine. He didnt take care of it very well. The story he told me was that wife's Grand father brought it back for the war. Now, if that is true or not I dont know.

Now for the rifle, it was missing the cleaning rod and middle barrel retain spring. The stock was dirty, barrel had fine surface rust on it. Looks like it hasnt seen any oil in more then a decade.

I took it completely apart. wiped it all down, swabbed the barrel, and oiled the stock. Didnt do any sanding or harsh scrubbing. It looks so much better, even most of the blueing is still there. The stock has been duffle bag cut in half right at the middle barrel support. Was told it was so he could get the rifle home. Again not sure if that is true or not

The serial number shows it was manufactured at the Nagoya Arsenal series 26. It has a dust cover and an intact MUM. All parts that I can see has the 3 last of the serial #. the bolt, upper and lower stock, trigger guard, dust cover, safety, mag cover, bayonet mount, and the upper and lower pieces that hold the trigger guard on. The butt plate is really pitted and cant see a mark.

Here are a few pictures.... If anyone knows a place to get the two items the nice rifle is missing please let me know...

Information

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[browningautorifle]

The stock has been duffle bag cut in half right at the middle barrel support. Was told it was so he could get the rifle home. Again not sure if that is true or not

Welcome to the forum, yes this story is a common one and I'd say true. If you wait a moment, there'll be guys along that will likely have the parts you need. You could place a WTB here too. Nice looking rifle and I'd have cleaned it up too.

[yeldraw1]

Thank you......having it head gauged to ensure I can fire it..... just want to throw a few rounds down range... to say I shot it...

[Aragorn243]

It is is all matching, I wouldn't be concerned about head spacing, especially if I had to pay someone for it. The actions on these is pretty near indestructible. I sure hope the photo of the butt stock is an error. Assuming it is as the butt plate is not the one in that photo.

[browningautorifle]

The actions on these is pretty near indestructible.

That's my understanding also, from stories I've heard.

I sure hope the photo of the butt stock is an error. Assuming it is as the butt plate is not the one in that photo.

I didn't say anything in the beginning, the second pic looks like a stock for a bolt action Mossberg shotgun...made about WW2 time.

[yeldraw1]

What do you mean about the butt Plate? The one in the pic is the one that came off the rifle...... Does it look wrong?

It is is all matching, I wouldn't be concerned about head spacing, especially if I had to pay someone for it. The actions on these is pretty near indestructible. I sure hope the photo of the butt stock is an error. Assuming it is as the butt plate is not the one in that photo.

[browningautorifle]

the butt Plate?

Look at picture #2 above. It has a black bakelite or hard rubber butt plate, cheekpiece and doesn't even look like something Japanese...

Also the metal down below it is definitely an old Mossburg or CIL shotgun breech. There's the safety tang.

[bob q]

Headspacing it is a waste of time . Most all T-38s will fail as the chamber was made much larger than the cartridge .

[Aragorn243]

The butt plate is fine, it's photo #2 of the stock that is playing games with my head.

[yeldraw1]

I think it is the pic, that is making it look like that it is a metal butt plate. what breech? and safety tang? These all came off the type 38. Had a gun shop look at it today and they didnt say anything about it.