Nagoya type 38 rifle purchase

[surplusaddict]

Hi everyone, I have a chance to pick up a series 28 Nagoya rifle. The rifle itself is in excellent condition, over 90%, everything matches, mint bore, cleanly struck mum. Also includes, early bayonet with beautiful frog, 3 boxes of Norma 6.5 ammo, also naval souvenir paper. My question is how much is this packa ge worth, he is asking $650. Thank you for your help.

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[rcathey]

What do you mean by souvenir paper?

[surplusaddict]

Capture papers, sorry. Letter is from the USS LSM 281, Lt. W.P. Lukems, commanding officer, participated in the Okinawa gunto campaign and occupational duties.

[rcathey]

Got it. With papers, I’d be all over it for that price.

[surplusaddict]

Title reads, Certificate of private ownership of souvenirs. A brief note to declassify and release of 1 Jap rifle, 1 Jap bayonet, name and rate of owner(sailors name). Officer's signature. It would be easier to post a photo, but I am computer illiterate. Title also says FPO San Francisco, Calif.

---------- Post added at 05:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:25 PM ----------

FPO must mean Fleet post office,I guess.

[rcathey]

The rifle is worth in the neighborhood of $500. Give or take.
The bayonet about $125.
The papers on both add maybe 50% to the value? So call it $900 for even figures.

The ammo is a nice little bonus.

[surplusaddict]

Thanks, he said he would hold it for me until I get all funds. I figure I'd better grab it, I don't know much about the Arisaka, but I've never seen one this nice, plus having a connection to the war.

[jangle]

Unless the paperwork has the serial number of the rifle....or you know for a fact the rifle in question was brought back by the gentleman listed on the paper, it does not command a premium. All you are being offered is a paper allowing someone to bring a rifle and bayonet home, which would not add anything to the value of this set.

Sellers asking price of $650 is on the upper range of value, but not out of line. If paperwork is numbered to rifle, I would add another $100 to value.

[Aragorn243]

I also concur that $650 is high but not out of line. Bayonets depending on arsenal and condition can run anywhere from $60-200, seem to average around $100, original frogs are very difficult to find and even harder in good condition. Rifle itself as described worth at least $400, possibly more. I personally don't put much stock in the paper but a lot of guys do. Not saying I'd turn it down but not willing to pay a huge premium for it either. As others mentioned, if serial number isn't included, no way to prove it goes with this rifle.

[surplusaddict]

I was thinking around $650 for everything is a good price, with the paper and ammo is just an added bonus. Are the Nagoya series 28 rare in production numbers? Serial number is 76xxx, trapezoid rear peep sight.