type 38 arisaka?

[adan10/22t]

I just picked up some of grandpa's old guns, 1- springfield armory 1894 30-40 Krag, 1- remington Model 141 . 35 rem. , 1-Japanese Type 38 Series 5 Arisaka (short)
I'm Having trouble finding any on the web that are as short as the one that I have, It's in about 90% condition from new, I believe grandpa might have had tooken extra care of this one, it still has all the cosmolene all up in the action, and down the rifling. It seems to good to be true in the condition it is in, anyone out there have an idea of how much it's worth, and where I can get some ammo for it? I dont even know if it is calibered in 6.5x50? I was able to translate the the writing below the crisp chrisanthemum as type 38.

thanks.

[IronColt]

could be a type 38 carbine.

[Peter in CA]

Type 38 Carbine

adan10/22t,
Google "Japanese type 38 carbine" and look at the results. There are some good pictures available on line. Check yours against the pictures and see if they match.

Peter in CA

[mosinnagantm9130]

If iti's an all original T38 carbine, it should be in 6.5x50. Lots of Arisaka's were sporterized, so it's possible it's in a different caliber now. Got any pics?

[Divernhunter]

Get ammo from Graff & Sons.

[knucklehead0202]

get hornady or P.C.I. 6.5x50 from Grafs, or load your own with Prvi Brass. i have a 38 carbine which is likely what you have. barrel's about 19" long and it's a very compact, handy little rifle. 6.5 jap is a decent cartridge that'll kill most things you'd want to with light recoil, even in the little carbine. depending on condition, they're worth between 250-800 in REALLY nice shape. i paid about 3 for mine. not sure exactly since i bought it with another gun but i got both for 600 so i figured 3 and 3.

[Rogerbutthead]

http://www.gunboards.com/sites/banzai/DataSheets/M38/M38Data.htm#Model_38

http://www.gunboards.com/sites/banzai/DataSheets/M38/M38DaShComm.htm#Top_M38DataSh_Comments

Many Arisakas in 6.5 were converted into 257 Roberts without any markings added to the rifle. Watch out for that.

[gunboat]

Roger - I think you mean they were converted to 6.5x257roberts - And yes you are correct, many were converted, as the 6.5jap cartridge was very hard to find and was not commercially loaded.
The 6.5x55 is a pretty good cartridge and can be loaded pretty hot in the type 38 --
my ha-penny

[Rogerbutthead]

ah, yeah. They just bored the chamber to accept the 257 Roberts case.

Sorry - I did see a 6.5 JPN cartridge that was fired in a 257 bored out Arisaka. The shooter was shocked to see the spent cartridge and was comparing it to an unfired case.

As I understood it, people just fired 257 Roberts out of the reamed rifle without any precautions. http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/i.../t-304285.html

The gunsmith at the store - where this discussion occurred - told the guy it would not effect accuracy that much - I questioned his statement but had no actual experience to dispute it.

[gunboat]

firing a standard 257 in a 6.5x257R chamber is like firing a 270 in an 06 chamber -- bullet would bounce down the bore -- .257 vs .266-.268 --
No particular danger but no accuracy either --

[nevil]

Show pics

[knucklehead0202]

lol, yeah, it might contact some rifling here and there... sure there were rifles converted but not enough to worry about every single one. whenever i buy a c&r, i tie it to an old tire and fire it with a string around the trigger. no problems... i'll take a picture next time but i'm sure you guys can figure it out.