WWII Gun Identification Help

[milit73]

My son was gifted this gun and was told it was Japanese brought back from the war. Does anyone know what this is? Thanks Jim

- - - Updated - - -

This also has a bayonet that attaches to it but he did not bring with him today.

 

[monaco66coupe]

Arisaka with Chrysanthemum stamp. 7.7 MM Many around, 200-500 Bucks. Condition is everything, as well as year it was made.Earlier the better,

 

[milit73]

That was quick thanks

 

[monaco66coupe]

Hey, that gun was part of the reason they lost the war. Compared to an M-1 Rifle? World's apart.

 

[Cmmopar]

That is a Type 38 Arisaka rifle chambered in 6.5x50 jap. You can confirm it is the 6.5 jap type 38 by the two vent holes on receiver ring, Type 99 7.7 only had one. Chrysanthemum stamp intact worth more usually means battle captured rifle whereas surrendered rifles usually have this ground off or lines stamped through it. Marking on sling might increase value if meaningful. Markings on receiver ring read from bottom up translate to type 38.

Those are original white unit markings on sling, care should be taken not to have it come off. Rifle can be researched with those marks. Symbol near serial number is Arsenal mark.

 

[monaco66coupe]

The Goofy Japanese used the 7.7 in The Zero as well, surely an Inefective round compared to the .50 Cal American Fighters had.

 

[72Fourspeed]

The Chrysanthemum hugely increases the value I was told at a gun show this past weekend. A guy had several of them, none with the Chrysanthemum.

 

[monaco66coupe]

I have one, and went to a Gun store run be retired Army personnel, he said $200 for low end, $500 with the Flower. He also said the Local Armory was full of them, and didn't know what to do with them. Oh well,,,,, he said. The Big problem is securing Ammo for it.

 

[Bb70charger500]

Very nice looking rifle . Yeah about $4-$500 IF someone wants it. There everywhere where I live. I can buy one on ok shape (not as nice as yours,for $170 but you can't get ammo for it so kinda useless . Good luck with it looks like a nice gun how does it shoot?

 

[Cmmopar]

They are about average in terms of accuracy, action is fairly strong. Ammo is expensive but available. Here is one source for 6.5 x 50 jap. There are others. Avoid old surplus, especially ww2 era jap issue. Some of the jap ammo was loaded to higher pressures than the bolt gun ammo in order to cycle some of their machine gun actions properly.

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/6887

If you plan to shoot it check to see that last few serial numbers on receiver match bolt numbers. If not headspace may be off.Make sure chamber clean and not pitted. You can safely test fire by taking old tire off rim and tucking butt stock in tire ring and tying down rifle fore end to tire. Point in safe direction, weigh tire down and actuate trigger remotely from proper distance with cord. Proper eye wear as usual.Check brass for splits, bulges or signs of over pressure.

 

[monaco66coupe]

I finally secured Ammo, but it is expensive. But, I don't need any rifle around that can't be shot.

 

[72Fourspeed]

I heard a gunsmith say that he was rebarelling the actions to build 44 mag bolt guns.

 

[milit73]

He just brought this home tonight. He gave it to him as he said the bolt was jammed. I then thought if there may be a round stuck inside which concerned me. I carefully checked out the rifle and was able to "un-jam" the action. The end piece on the bolt was not on correctly or aligned properly so then everything was moving freely. I will go have everything checked out before we try to shoot or buy ammo. Thanks for all of the replies.

 

[monaco66coupe]

The retired Infantry E-8 said my gun was of high quality, and in great shape. it can be dropped in the mud, river, etc and it will shoot. However, Now that I have Ammo I am going back to ask him to look at it again. They do have a gun range. Mine was under a Bed for 50+ years, so I would rather be safe than sorry.

 

[Cmmopar]

He just brought this home tonight. He gave it to him as he said the bolt was jammed. I then thought if there may be a round stuck inside which concerned me. I carefully checked out the rifle and was able to "un-jam" the action. The end piece on the bolt was not on correctly or aligned properly so then everything was moving freely. I will go have everything checked out before we try to shoot or buy ammo. Thanks for all of the replies.

Knurled "end piece" is safety. Push in with palm and rotate counter clockwise to fire, clockwise for safe.

 

[milit73]

Thanks now know what that is for. It is a little stiff but it needs a good cleaning.

 

[69a100]

Hey Jim, Bro here has a type 38 as well, unfortunately his has been Bubba'ed and not the original stock. Not many of those left in that shape, please don't let him butcher it. Do all the numbers match on the weapon? Bill will get in touch later as he knows more about them than I do. DON'T butcher that sucker, preserve it!!!!!!!

 

[cr8crshr]

PM Sent Jim. I have extra parts for the bolts if yours is marginal. Most of these Arisaka's are a fun gun to shoot but as mentioned above, ammo is a bear to find. I have re-loading supplies to re-load my own. You can find ammo online from Norma but it is expensive so the re-load is the way to go. These rifles bolt actions are patterned after the German Mauser's and are quite similar across the board. But the JAP parts will not interchange with the Mauser's and visa versa. You definitely need to check the head spacing...I can do that...and inspect the barrel rifling to make sure it is in good shape. Mine was not as it was removed from active service and used for training, and various ceremonies. I found a replacement barrel and had a gunsmith put the new barrel on. Yes mine is "sporterized" but I have had it for so long that I went ahead and modernized it. Looks really good too. But as my Brother said, if yours is in as good of shape as the photos and your description of it then keep it original. Like I said I have a ton of info and supplies if you need some local help...cr8crshr/Tuck:headbang::headbang::headbang:

 

[fratzog lover]

Check the barrel for signs of pitting from corrosive primer ammo.

 

[monaco66coupe]

Graff and Sons sells a 20 round Box for 35.00 Plus shipping. It's better than nothing, so I plink targets with other weapons that eat a lot cheaper.