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View Full Version : The Arisaka is here!


Tallship
01-23-2010, 12:22 PM
I picked up the Arisaka today from the auction house. It's definitely a type 38, and thanks to Milsurp Collector's link, I was able to determine that it came from the Koishikawa Arsenal. It's number 664155 out of about 2,000,000 made between 1906 and 1935. I'm now convinced that the only reason no one else bid on it is because the safety was on, and they thought the action was locked up :D. Here's the pics:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z182/tallship2/P1000085.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z182/tallship2/P1000087.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z182/tallship2/P1000089.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z182/tallship2/P1000093.jpg

Couple of quick questions: What are the holes under the mum, and how do you get the bolt and cleaning rod out?

Milsurp Collector
01-23-2010, 12:43 PM
Very nice! Are the numbers matching? What series is it? Look for the series character before the serial number. You'll need a magnifier. http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/japanese_markings.html



Couple of quick questions: What are the holes under the mum, and how do you get the bolt and cleaning rod out?

The holes are gas vent holes to direct gas from a ruptured cartridge in a safe direction (away from the shooter). Just one of many thoughtful design features of Arisakas.

The bolt release is a Mauser-style catch on the left side

http://www.surplusrifle.com/arisakatype38/rifledisassembly/graphics/l/2.jpg

To release the cleaning rod, compress the spring under the front of the stock and withdraw the rod

http://i41.tinypic.com/20qjadx.jpg

If it is old and stuck you might have to put a small object narrower than the spring on top of the spring, then use a Quick Grip clamp to compress the spring

http://www.irwin.com/irwin/consumer/images/large/5412_lg.jpg
http://www.surplusrifle.com/arisakatype38/rifledisassembly/graphics/l/16.jpg

The same spring is also the retaining device for the upper band. After the rod is removed you can remove the upper band by tapping it off by gently striking the back of bayonet lug with a hammer and brass punch while continuing to keep the retaining spring compressed.

See http://www.surplusrifle.com/arisakatype38/rifledisassembly/index.asp

Tallship
01-23-2010, 1:00 PM
Thanks, Milsurp for the info. I believe that these rifles from Koishikawa were the only ones that didn't have a series number (according to your link).

Tallship
01-23-2010, 1:47 PM
Just checked...the numbers don't match. The bolt and the floorplate have been replaced.

Milsurp Collector
01-23-2010, 2:40 PM
A "no series" Tokyo (Koishikawa) Arsenal Type 38 with that serial number would have been made in 1914 according to production numbers.

Your rifle might be matching if the bolt and floorplate have the same number. Early Type 38s were matched by an assembly number instead of the serial number. While the rifle was being assembled a 1 to 3 digit number was stamped on the bottom of the receiver and barrel

http://i42.tinypic.com/2mmd3ew.jpg

The parts being fitted to that rifle would also be stamped with the same assembly number. Only the receiver would be stamped with the serial number when the rifle was completed. To see the assembly number on the bottom of the receiver and the stampings on the other parts you would have to take the action out of the stock.

Sampachi
01-23-2010, 5:08 PM
The bolt might be correct to the rifle. It has the old style safety tang on it, so if it is mis-matched it's from the correct time period.
The canvas sling is a true bonus.

Tallship
01-24-2010, 12:35 PM
Took the rifle apart and checked the numbers. The assembly numbers on all parts match, except for the bolt. Pretty amazing for an almost 100 year old gun.