Arisaka Experts opinion needed

[hi1maj]

On Christmas i was going through my dads garage since he was moving and saw this gun in there. Asked about it he said it was from my Grandpa in the war. That's all the information we have from it since hes gone now. We figured out its a type 38 model. Markings show it Nagoya Arsenal. Series is hard to read but from the symbols it looks like 4th. Its kind of messed up so cant tell for sure. We were really wondering what was up with the stock. I've only seen one like this before and the guy stated on the web it was a cut up type 38 long rifle stock. Whats your guys opinion. Also, would you shoot it?

[Aldemar]

There is an article in this months issue of Surplus Arms about Arisaka's. I really haven't looked thru the article yet so I'm not sure how much information it would provide.

One thing I do know is that an intact chrysanthemum ups the value of the rifle. Most Japanese weapons had the chrysanthemum defaced upon surrender as it was the symbol of the throne. Was your grandfather a Marine? It's very possible that this is a "bring back" from one of the Island campaigns.

[mosinnagantm9130]

It's a type 38 with a cut down stock. How long is it? It's hard for me to tell from the pics if it's a long rifle, or a carbine.

[echo1]

I've got one too, given to me by a relative who was in th 1st Filipino Reg during WWII. The unground "MUM", the Emperors seal, usually means it was a battle field pick up.

I sported mine too, when I was nine. PAX

[ojisan]

Looks like someone "sporterized" it.
It was popular to do this back in the day.
Surplus rifles were a dime a dozen, and nobody expected them to ever become collector's items.
Sadly now we wish these guns had been left original.

No sights...needs a scope.

The intact Mum does increase the value to collectors, but this one has been modified too much to interest them unless they have all the missing parts to bring it back to original condition.

These are strong actions and unless you see signs of abuse or damage, it is likely safe to fire with the right ammo.
I would have someone check it out of you are not comfortable with making your own judgement as to its safety.
Inspect everything, assume nothing.
Note that some of these rifles were rechambered by the military to 30-06 after WW2...but many rifle calibers are possible if it was a state-side job.
Be sure to figure out exactly what it is chambered for.
Was there any ammo with it?

[gunboat]

In the 50's when the 6.5jap ammo ran out, a popular conversion was to 6.5 roberts/6.5x 257 roberts/6.5 x257 different designations for the same cartridge which was simply rechambering to use the 257 roberts as a parent case expanded to 6.5mm. The 6.5jap has the same bolt face as 7.7jap and 30/06 --
my tuppence

[hi1maj]

its pretty short, like 3 foot overall. I would cay it's a carbine. Nothing came with it except a helmet. Still has the iron sites on it though, just flipped down.

[mosinnagantm9130]

I wouldn't do any further mods to that one, all the metal appears to be intact. It could be restored with a stock set, if you wanted to restore it.

[mosinnagantm9130]

Also, I'd have a gunsmith check to see what caliber it is. Once you know for sure, I wouldn't have any hesitation to fire it. T38 receivers are ridiculously strong.

[Spiggy]

from the length of the rear sight and length of the finger grooves, I can already say it's probably a Type 38 long rifle at one point in time.

The value added by having an intact empirical seal means nothing by the shortened furniture.

That helmet on the other hand may be worth a goldmine if there are markings in or on it.