New to Japanese rifles

[hogie]

Hi guys, just expanding my collection and I purchased a Type 38. I don't know much about it and would like some help to find out more about it. I think it is a Tokyo arsenal, unsure about the series. The mum is stamped over with three circles, possible from Thailand use?

It is not a numbers matching rifle.

Thanks

hogie

Information

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[fernleaf]

It seems to me to be an early No Series Type 38 made at Koishikawa in Tokyo. It has no front sight ears, and there doesn't seem to be a Series mark to the left of the serial number?

The branding on the stock and the strange cancellation of the mum make me think it was a school training rifle.

[seabot2]

Looks to be a school rifle.

The first set of characters on the left could read GAKKOO or school, the second set on the right could read TATSUMU or doing your duty. Just making a deductive guess since the characters are obscured.

[Midmichigun]

Sir,
Thanks for posting your nifty rifle. School rifles are a sub collecting theme among Japanese Collectors. The stock lettering adds an interesting take on your rifle.
I warn you though... it is hard to get only 1 Japanese rifle.... they usually start to multiply in your gunsafe!!!

[NRA]

Sir,
Thanks for posting your nifty rifle. School rifles are a sub collecting theme among Japanese Collectors. The stock lettering adds an interesting take on your rifle.
I warn you though... it is hard to get only 1 Japanese rifle.... they usually start to multiply in your gunsafe!!!

True now the next step would be a type 99

[hogie]

Thanks, so being a school rifle means that it was removed from military service and used for training purposes? The rifling looks worn but from what I've found for info would be normal. Is there anything that a person should check for before shooting one?

[fernleaf]

Yep, removed from military use, and given to a school for cadet training. One thing to bear in mind that is often overlooked by people just getting into collecting Japanese rifles is that they all have Metford rifling, which can appear to highly worn out.

Arisakas have one of the strongest actions out there, give it a good clean up and shoot it.

[seabot2]

This is what I think I see. I could be wrong. The other hard to see characters above it could change the meaning again.

[Midmichigun]

Hogie,
I am NOT a Gunsmith or Lawyer... and don't play one on TV. If you are concerned about anything, have a gunsmith check headspace.
Otherwise, happy shooting!!
I have found my Type 38's to be delightful shooting rifles, with Norma factory ammo.
I have also bought repo slings, and muzzle covers and "stuff" to outfit (where appropriate) my rifles. I have a hard time picking up the rare original to place on my shooters... and found that the repo's do a fine job.....
Since you have a "school" rifle, it would be interesting to pick up a "training bayonet" for it. On occassion you see these at gunshows and on the 'net.

[hogie]

Would like to find a type 99, not easy to find in Canada.

I still have to disassemble the rifle, clean, and inspect. Have components on order to load for it. I'm thinking everything should be fine.

Is there a good book that any of you would recommend for learning more about Japanese rifles?