Type 38 Arisaka Short Rifle with Kanji

[Midmichigun]

Gents,
Here is a nice thread for you to ponder (or not). Here is a nice Japanese rifle that I picked up a number of years ago. The label says, "Type 38 Short Rifle".

I dropped on a repop sling to make carrying it around easier. The dust cover (and I assume bolt) don't match the rifle, but they have been together a long time.

The bolt root and dust cover have an almost diamond stamp on them that certainly looks the same. It was hard to get a shot, but I tried.
The rear sights are nice and stiff, and you can see that the mum isn't ground!


Here is a shot of the receiver. There is nice thick blue there, with little sign of wear!

Here is a shot of the safety knob. I was disappointed that a "wood pecker" got it... but don't think that it detracts from performance...

And yes, everything is slathered in grease.
What I liked about this rifle, was that the cleaning rod was attached!

The wood on the rifle is nice with usual dings and dents from use. The split stock is very clear... and so is the kanji!

Here is the rifle serial number

The bayonet is a typical variety with remnants of kanji!
Any comments are welcome!!

Information

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[NRA]

"The dust cover (and I assume bolt) don't match the rifle" have you broke it down to confirm they do not match? BTW it looks very nice

[Midmichigun]

NRA,
LOL! Actually no I haven't. It didn't matter that much to me, and I don't plan on firing it.... ever. This is mostly a safe queen, due to the Kanji.... I am afraid of loosing more of it through general wear...
I did notice that the front sight ears are slightly bent in.

[NRA]

My curiosity would get the best of me on this one. BTW love the rifle

[Bill Hollinger]

That sure is a beauty!

[Capt.Mainwaring]

What does the stock marking read? I can read Chinese but not Japanese language (to make the distinction), and know nothing about how the Japanese marked them. The Kanji to me reads "29 - 29"

[jmoore]

The Kanji to me reads "29 - 29"

That would be the easiest translation. If the "-" is a dash! But what if it's an "I"?

[ktoggunner]

There is no "I" in Japanese- at least not normally I'm guessing '29 - 29'

I'm guessing it's a rack or unit number? Japanese numbers are the same as Chinese. That's a rare one- none of my Japanese rifles have any markings left painted on the wood.

-Dave

[jmoore]

There is no "I" in Japanese- at least not normally I'm guessing '29 - 29'

I'm guessing it's a rack or unit number? Japanese numbers are the same as Chinese. That's a rare one- none of my Japanese rifles have any markings left painted on the wood.

-Dave

Welcome to the forums!

Yah, i couldn't remember having seen a straight vertical symbol offhand. But neither do i remember dashes...which probably doesn't mean all that much!

As far as having painted on markings, there's one in my stash. On the bottom of the forestock in this instance. No photo yet, though.

[jmoore]

Have just added a thread with the rifle mentioned above photographed, finally. Link below:

Nagoya Arsenal Type 99 Rifle (Probably 8th Series but Not Marked) w/Painted Markings