type 38 question

[mikeylikesit106]

My dad passed back in 2000 and as we where cleaning his stuff we found 2 rifles we had never seen before one an 1873 winchester manufactured in 1889 and a type 38 mum intact but here is the kicker the stock looks as if it was cut and the bayonet lug is wrapped around the sight. My grandmother said thats how it was hen my grandpa brought it back from korea. My questions are first, Why would someone do this? Next, Would it be better to leave it the way it is or restore it? It does have some initals in the bottom of the magazine floorplate and carved into the side of the stock.
Thanks
Mike

[Directshot]

I have several of the Type 38's. Too bad someone did the "home gunsmith" number on it. The Mum intack is a plus. Many were ground off.

[Directshot]

Here is a good site to check out your markings...

http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/japanese_markings.html

Good luck.

[mikeylikesit106]

Is it better to try and restore it or leave it alone? It is a pain in the butt to aim since the lug sits so close to the sight. althought I haven't shot it yet since ammo is so expensive. Anyone know a good gunsmith to have this thing checked out? I am in the Ontario area.
Thanks
Mike

[Spiggy]

that's how the bayonet lug is to be removedduring takedown, since there was a chop jobby done, the home-smith probably didn't want to lose the lug and wrapped it over the sight.


Restoration might cost a bit more than the rifle originally costs, but certainly worth it. And probably a fun project to do with the kids- in memory of Dad.

The Arisaka Type 38 action was rated one of the strongest ever built. I believe a reputable source tried to blow out a Type 38 after hearing an incident with a shooter noticing his gun was kicking excessively hard. He had one with a wrongful conversion to 30-06 however the barrel was not converted to a 30cal. The guy squeezed out those bullets out of the stock 6.5mm barrel and the reciever and action managed to hold. -The tests were true and it wasnt until finally the barrel blew out multiple times before the action did get totalled.

http://www.e-gunparts.com/productschem.asp?chrMasterModel=1040zTYPE%2038

Tons of the parts are not available at this time, but still a sufficient amount to start. Looking at approx $150+ to get going on it.

http://www.e-gunparts.com/productschem.asp?chrMasterModel=1040zTYPE%2038

You will need item numbers 46-50 plus the cleaning rod rention bits and cleaning rod. -This is assuming the original parts have been scrapped.

[tujungatoes]

The Arisaka Type 38 action was rated one of the strongest ever built. I believe a reputable source tried to blow out a Type 38 after hearing an incident with a shooter noticing his gun was kicking excessively hard. He had one with a wrongful conversion to 30-06 however the barrel was not converted to a 30cal. The guy squeezed out those bullets out of the stock 6.5mm barrel and the reciever and action managed to hold. -The tests were true and it wasnt until finally the barrel blew out multiple times before the action did get totalled.

A buddy of mine showed me a copy of that article. It was american rifleman May 1959. Blew my F-ing mind!! They show before and after pics of the slugs, looks like fun house mirrors.

[Sal]

spiggy, the type 38 action they actually gave up on, it was blowing out the 1-1/8" bull barrels but keeping the receiver restorable, the type 99 blew out after a few barrel blow outs, but i belive they stopped before they could get the type 38 action to blow.

they are great shooters, spiggy and i picked one up each at the coasta mesa show, and each put 20 rounds downrange(all the ammo we could find at the show) and they shot great.

either clean up the rifle and leave it as it is, or restore it to military original configuration, either way it should be a nice sentimental piece, if not a great shooter.