Sharing a Type 38

[Singer B]

Since things have been pretty slow here, I thought I would share my recently acquired Type 38 rifle. A couple of questions I had were is it a Koishikawa or a Kokura arsenal rifle? I know they are one in the same but under which company name was this rifle built? It also has 3 interesting "notches"on the butt stock. I guess the question is who put them there and why? Of the 16 listed serial number locations, 14 of them match (non matching parts are the cocking piece and and magazine floor plate). The rifle shoots great with a very smooth action. Thanks!

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[Salt Flat]

That is a nice Type 38. Most of them seem to be pretty rough with dark bores. Yours has lots of bluing present and a decent stock. I would bet that it has a shiny bore based on the outside condition. The notches always make me scratch my head. Would a Japanese soldier take a time out from combat to "keep score" like this? I really don't know. I know deer hunters sometimes do this---- Salt Flat.

[Singer B]

The bore is pretty nice, excellent rifling and maybe a little bit of frosting. I've only cleaned the bore a couple of times and I'm finding it takes a multitude of cleanings to remove all the years of neglect in these milsurps.

[bob q]

It is a Koishikawa .

[Singer B]

It is a Koishikawa .

Thanks! Would you know the approximate year of manufacture?

[Steyr Man 146]

Thanks! Would you know the approximate year of manufacture?

1st this helped me out http://www.castle-thunder.com/model.htm and https://oldmilitarymarkings.com/japanese_markings.html 2nd nice find... internet old guns I can research til I am forced by nature AND those around me to get some sleep. Any import marks?? I research them also

[Singer B]

1st this helped me out http://www.castle-thunder.com/model.htm and https://oldmilitarymarkings.com/japanese_markings.html 2nd nice find... internet old guns I can research til I am forced by nature AND those around me to get some sleep. Any import marks?? I research them also

Their are no import marks. The mum is completely grounded off. Their is no "series" marking which would have made the dating easy. The serial number is 1855xxx. All of the assembly numbers match except the magazine floor plate and the cocking handle. The wood is kind of rough but the bluing isn't too bad. The receiver has the circle with triangle inside proofmark. So does the barrel on the left side of the chamber. There is also a "s" proof mark laying on its side next to the circle with triangle proof mark. While rough in appearance, she is very smooth and shoots great. It has an original cleaning rod also. Pretty happy with it!!

[jangle]

Thanks! Would you know the approximate year of manufacture?

Approx. 1921

[Ovidio]

Wow, nice find.
Pity for the mum, but otherwise...
I'll have to have one sooner or later...

[Singer B]

Approx. 1921

Thank you sir! That is earlier than I thought!