Kokura Type 38- Restoration

[Midmichigun]

Gents,
When did the Kokura arsenal quit making the TYPE 38? I DON'T SEE a series in front of the serial number. Here are a few photos of it.


I haven't pulled out other Type 38's for comparison, but here are a few MORE markings to view.








Lets move onto the other parts of the rifle.



Yes, the buttplate has gone missing! Probably an easy replacement, but something that is bothersome!



And yes, the safety and firing pin have also gone missing. The bolt body does NOT match the rifle SN, so this backs up some of the stories of vets having the bolts removed before they came back home... or not...



And yes, it has an original cleaning rod! The front sight looks short, but it is just the angle of the shot, not bubba!

The forestock does have a few "nicks" in it. Namely, it spells LMX and several crossed out lines. Perhaps a soldier marking off killed enemies, but more likely the number of deer taken post war.

As you can see, the stock is a deep red tint. This goes over some damage, so it could be post war, but all together the rifle looks nice.

I haggled with the seller for quite some time. He was sure that with a functional bolt and bolt cover, the rifle would fetch in the neighborhood of $400- $500 USD. I certainly didn't pay that much, but he fell back on the now "usual" statement that the rifle was worth quite a bit in parts!! Truly it would have been sad to see this one ripped apart!

This was solely a gunshow pickup, as I didn't see any other unmolested Arisaka's, and those were going to take some $$ to repair/ restore.

Thanks for looking guys!

Information

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[Midmichigun]

Additional photos!
The rifle does need to be taken down for a cleaning. This is the "as found" condition.... Upon close examination, the numbers don't match. Even though it might be a "put together" rifle, by all appearances with the patina, is has been together for quite some time.

[vintage hunter]

That rifle was made at the Koishikawa (Tokyo) Arsenal not Kokura and they didn't have a series marking. Kokura used the same symbol but didn't come about till around 1933. I can't find my blasted notes or I'd tell you about what year it was made. I have a Kokura series 23 that was made about 1935 if I did the math right. I believe Kokura made guns up to the surrender but could be wrong. If I could just find those darned notes......phooey. Somebody'll be along shortly and give you the straight of it.

[Dad]

Hey Midmichigun,
Nice find!
Here is a link to the re-hosted page for Japanese rifle markings, it might prove helpful.
http://oldmilitarymarkings.com/japanese_markings.html

D.

[Midmichigun]

Thanks guys!

Now if only I could have a Mod change the title, I would be set!

I did look for the link that Mr. Dad posted, but couldn't find THAT darn thing last night! I saw it recently... but you know how things go...

As usual, I am on the hunt for parts now!

Vintage Hunter, is there anything unusual about the bolt or safety, that I should be watching for then?

[seabot2]

That markings on the forestock could be also be read as "shi 4 me" in Japanese. Possibly meaning " 4 kills". The Koishikawa T38 had serial numbers that went to around 2026087 in 1929. Production continued at Nagoya till serial number 2030949. And then Kokura and Nagoya began the series marked the rifles.

I suppose any T38 safety knob could be used, but sometimes it will not engage on the receiver. Seems like the safety needed hand fitting for it work correctly.

[Aragorn243]

Large protrusion safety knob is appropriate for non-series rifles of Koishikawa.

[seabot2]

My mistake, the writing on the forestock does look like "LMX" in english. I couldn't make out that "M" earlier. So, possibly scribed in after war? Maybe game taken with it when it had a complete bolt.

[mil-surp60]

nice rifle , sent you a pm about a buttplate mdmich.I will be posting my type 99 restoration as well next week.That is a nice type 38.good score. great link also above on the markings, thanx for posting that link .

[Midmichigun]

Gents,
Thanks for the kind responses. Sea Bot had mentioned about alternate SN's under the wood, so I pulled the rifle apart (it was unstaked and needed a cleaning).
Here are some photos for your interest!

Stock:


Trigger:


Comparison of Receiver, Upper Handguard, and Stock


Closeup of barrel shank/ receiver: