Wish me luck

[Aragorn243]

The auction from hell is tomorrow and I'm going to subject myself to it one last time. If it turns into its usual debacle, I'm done...................At least until next month. No, I think I'm really done.

In any case, I inspected them today and there is one which fits my needs/desires: A type 38 with mum that is dirty, rusty, and gooed up so much it doesn't work. It looks restorable. Rust is a little more than I like, especially on the barrel but it doesn't look pitted. Stock looks pretty decent. Bore does not look pitted but is dark. Condition is such that no one should be willing to bid it high............In a normal auction, but here, I'm not holding my breath.

Couple of Swiss rifles I'd like to bring home too but I know those will go for $150 more than they are worth at minimum, they are in good condition and have their bayonets. All are selling early so I won't have to waste the entire day there which is good.

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[Patrick Chadwick]

I wish you luck

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I Hate auctions. Get my hopes up only to be dashed. To frugle I suppose. We bid an online auction for a new crane today were hoping for around 200k. Selling price? 400k. NOT my money lest anyone get the wrong impression. My boss's/company money. Love those 38s Good luck! Awating pictures of your bargin purchase.

[Aragorn243]

Thank you for your well wishes. They WORKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The auction has a reprieve. I probably paid a little more than I should have but this time last week they were a pile of scrap faucets, copper wire, aluminum siding, and copper pipe.

I even managed to pull off one of the Swiss, an all matching (including the bayonet with a 1918 frog) 1918 manufactured 1911 long rifle. I suspect it has a tag under the butt as there is a piece of tape with a name on it on the buttplate.

But wrong forum. The Type 38 is a pre series 20 Kuishidawa/Kokura. I don't know if it is matching yet or not. Serial doesn't match bolt but could be assembly number. It is in rough shape, hopefully restorable. It has it's cleaning rod but is missing the dust cover. Bore is dark but not pitted that I can see. Action is very greased up, it works but doesn't sound right. I suspect too much goo in the firing pin/spring area. Lots of rust on the exterior of the barrel. Stock is dark but doesn't look too bad. I paid $160 which was a bit higher than I had hoped but not at my max. Photos will be posted soon.

The other one with the badly pitted bore sold for $185. A type 99 with an intact mum but obvious attempt to grind it off, they missed, sold for $300. The grind mark is obviously an attempt to grind off the mum, it is large and it is deep, it is simply on the side.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Look forward to the before and after photos.

[Patrick Chadwick]

I wish you luck

Good heavens! It worked!

[Aragorn243]

The before photos:





















I've finished the first round of cleaning. Got "most" of the hard 60+ year old gunk out and off of the metal. Still have some work to do in the chamber area, hard to get at. Did not completely disassemble it either.

The good news: It now functions fine. All small parts have the same assembly number including the stock and hand guard. The bore cleaned out ok and while remaining a bit dark does not have any significant pitting that I can see and the rifling looks good. There was no serious pitting anywhere although I did find some under the hand guard.

The bad news: The bolt doesn't match either the serial number or the assembly number so it's a mis-match. Slightly disappointing but I figured as much going in.

This one is going to take some time to clean up. That stuff is hard to get off and it isn't coming off my hands either even with orange hand cleaner, that's a first.

[enfield303t]

It actually doesn't look that bad and for the price I would say you did OK. Can you soak it in diesel fuel to rid it of much of the rust and crap??

[Aragorn243]

I got most of the crap off by hand. It now appears to be soaking into my hands as it won't come off. It's never going to be pretty but it's coming out about how I expected it too, the barrel a bit better. I didn't know what to expect from that. It is at least smooth, semi-shiny and "blue" now rather than rust brown. I'm going to give it a break and let the oil, etc soak into it a bit and give it another go in a day or so.

The Swiss rifle did indeed have a tag under the butt plate but it wasn't even close to the sticker he had on it. Not sure what that was all about. Not much to do to that one. A few very minor spots of rust, mostly around the rear sight. I have to get a sling for it as that is not original to it.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

It looks as though someone made an honest effort to preserve her. The stock seems to be the correct red color. I think you will be pleased with the aquisition after you show it a little love. Had I purchased it I would be feeling good about it. Nicely done!