Well, on my way back from the docs today, I stopped in a pawn shop. I had bought a Hungarian M44 from this guy. Well, low and behold he has a Type 38 6.5 Arisaka on his wall. This one has a pretty decent bore. Lands and grooves at least look good. Sharp, but slightly rounded on the edges. So it has seem some use. However, I was baffled when I couldn't find a series stamp on it. They said it had been pawned and was sitting on the shelf for a few weeks.
Looks like it was not produced with a series stamp on it, and was one of the rifles made from 1906-1935 at the Koishikawa factor before it was called Kokura since they used the same arsenal symbol (correct me if I am wrong, please). Well, this has a 1.something million serial number with some 8s and 0s in it that I can remember. It also has a triangle in circle, and an "S" stamp on the barrel, near the rear sights. Is this a 10% overload stamp? I have also seen postulated that "S" and "B" stamps could indicate German manufactured barrels?
Stock was sporterized just in front of the barrel band, with handguard present. Mum in tact. No dust cover. Bluing looked great. Rear sights were "V" notch, with the slider present. Front sight looked like it had a large fishing weight clamped over it, with the front sight protectors missing? Couldn't see it was all covered by this large piece of "lead" something. There was a triangle file gouge in it, like someone filed a "V" notch on the large lead looking thing on the front sight.
$150 good deal or average? Might be able to haggle some. But, this was the "sale" price. I mean, I don't want to pass up a good deal when I see one either even if I don't know if it is a good one or not yet. Any thoughts, opinions? I know its hard with no pics, but the gun looked great.
And a slightly off topic question... Can the rear peep sights of other Japanese rifles be fitted to the Type 38 that has the "V" notch rear sight? Or were they model specific?
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I would pass on it. I can get originals for around $199 here. A sporter or cut down bubba should be about $100. for a type 38. There are carbines and long 38s as well.
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