Arisaka rifle question

[jkwidener]

I have had this rifle in the rack for a while now. I believe it is a type 38 and is also a school "training" rifle. can anyone else help me with the markings? I believe the three circles inside the mum and the 000 before the serial number make it a training rifle, doesnt it? Here are some pictures.

 

[Slamfire]

Looks like a sporterized service rifle.

It does not look like my training rifle. Mine has a cast iron receiver and the barrel is sleeved into the receiver and does not have rifling.

One shot in a true training rifle and you would be picking iron fragments out of your head.

 

[tater134]

Not one of the purpose built trainers but a type 38 carbine that was removed from service and used for training at schools.Unlike the trainers that are around that should not be fired most school rifles are safe to shoot as long as there are no major issues.Just keep in mind that these were removed from service for a reason and may have poor bore or other issues.Since yours has been sporterized I wouldnt be too worried about it having any problems.

 

[Slamfire]

More pictures.

See the wear from the Cadets hand on the barrel?

 

[jkwidener]

Here is a picture of the bolt from mine.

 

[jkwidener]

what are these guns worth now days? Mine does have nice rifleing...

 

[James K]

Tater 134 is correct, it is not a so-called "training rifle." That rifle is a standard Type 38 that was transferred to school use. The "cannon balls" overstamp on the "mum" indicates it was processed out of service at Kokura Arsenal. The added zeros are just to make the serial number invalid in military records. The top symbol, between the "mum" and the "3 8 type" indicates the rifle was diverted to school use.

Those rifles could be and were fired and were used for military training at the college level. The so-called "training rifles" that were made to fire only blanks were intended for programs in the equivalent of high school.

Barring any problems, it should be safe to shoot.

FWIW, while I am no expert on the values of Japanese rifles today, those school rifles should bring a good price. Not only are they different from the ordinary "bringback", they are usually in excellent condition, having been transferred to the school long before the war and having remained there through the war years, being well maintained.

Jim

 

[jkwidener]

Thank You everyone for the help, it is greatly appreciated. Does anyone have a magizine box with mag spring and floor plate for this rifle?

 

[ISC]

Unfortunately, the fact that it was sporterized radically reduces it's value.

 

[James K]

For those parts, try www.gunpartscorp.com but note that the magazine spring is common to the Type 38 and Type 99.

Jim

 

[SigP6Carry]

beautiful gun, still. I love seeing arisakas with the mum intact! Mind if I ask how you came about that beauty?

 

[jkwidener]

I found it at an auction.