Help in identifying an inherited rifle...

[claylakers]

Delete?

[blackrat]

Bolt handle looks like it might be from an arisaka.

[knucklehead0202]

Sporterized type38 arisaka. Kokura arsenal. Likely in 6.5x50 jap unless otherwise noted or labeled. with a new stock and front sight it could be restored to original. Not worth much but somebody(maybe me) might buy it from you and spend more than it's worth to restore it. Collector value is pretty much nil but I'd pay up to 150 for it. Or you could just leave it alone and shoot it.

[ironhorse1]

Some of those Arisakas's were rechambered for .308 Beware it should be marked if this was done.

irh

Is the MUM intact or ground off? That would be on the top of the receiver.

It's the Imperial flower symbol.

irh

[mosinnagantm9130]

Sporterized type38 arisaka. Kokura arsenal. Likely in 6.5x50 jap unless otherwise noted or labeled. with a new stock and front sight it could be restored to original. Not worth much but somebody(maybe me) might buy it from you and spend more than it's worth to restore it. Collector value is pretty much nil but I'd pay up to 150 for it. Or you could just leave it alone and shoot it.

Pretty much this^^

If you want to shoot it, I'd recommend taking it to a gunsmith and having them check what caliber it is first.

[claylakers]

Thanks for the quick responses guys. That really helps. There is no mum present and I don't see any indications noting any sort of rechambering. Knucklehead, I will be sure to let my buddy know what you suggest and if he does decide to sell it I will let you know. Thanks again

[mosinnagantm9130]

I don't see any indications noting any sort of rechambering.

Many times you wont. Many type 38's were converted to .257 Roberts IIRC. I doubt most of them got marked at all, so you have to be careful.

[claylakers]

That's very good to know, considering the implications. I will be sure to stress to him that if he does want to shoot it he should consult a gunsmith to determine the exact caliber, THANKS!

[knucklehead0202]

sounds like you're on track buddy, good luck! If it comes to it I'd be glad to rescue the poor thing. I've made a habit of picking up unfortunate rifles in need of love but for me the payoff is having a decent-looking shooter, if not a valuable collectible. Long as it looks authentic and shoots, it's good enough for me.

[Mike A]

Arisaka 6.5s can be rechambered to .308, I suppose, but nobody who isn't suicidal would try to ram a .308 diameter bullet down a .264 bore, would they? Never seen one; don't expect to.

The .257 Roberts conversion works all right, but I've never heard that they could hit anything. Apparently a .257 bullet in a .264 bore does give "minute of deer" accuracy as long as you keep the ranges short.

Now 7.7mm Arisakas WERE rechambered for .30-06, since apparently Uncle Sugar felt that ramming a .308 diameter bullet down a .311 bore was OK, and the Arisaka action IS hell-for-strong. Lots of those around.

Those were issued to South Korean reserves, and some got captured and used against us by the North Koreans early in that "UN Police Action" (my favorite uncle got killed in that war, so I'm a little touchy about its official designation). Then many got re-captured in the rout of the NK army after Inchon, and presumably put into reserve again.

I'd get some Norma 6.5 Jap ammo for that sporter and keep it for a spare. And remember how many good men were killed by just such rifles. A very old friend of mine has a plate in his skull courtesy of an Arisaka 6.5...

[claylakers]

Thank you for all the great information Mike. It certainly makes you think when you look back at the history of some of these firearms

[Bastard]

Many times you wont. Many type 38's were converted to .257 Roberts IIRC. I doubt most of them got marked at all, so you have to be careful.

^^^ this.

I would have it checked to be sure before trying to fire anything out of it.

[Springfield45]

9 out of 10 of these type of threads seem to be Japanese Arisaka rifles.

[VegasND]

These threads begin about some rifle the OP doesn't know anything about and interesting stories and facts get posted. They are almost always worth the time to read.

[stonefly-2]

is that a floor plate release?