Another Japanese Rifle

[Ron C.]

Don't know what this one is either. It is longer than the other one, and the finish is a bit smoother; however, in some ways it looks rougher. Looks like it is a smaller caliber and the crest is messed up quite a bit......also had a big spot of rust. The stock is a little smoother too. It has a sling, but it is a bit stiff. I didn't get a very good shot of the serial number, but maybe someone can tell me what this one is, including when and where it was made and who used it.......what troops. I really didn't collect Japanese weapons. I think I only have one more, but it is a real mess in my opinion.......part of the stock is blow off or busted and I think there is a bullet in it. I think the crest on it is completely intact though. A friend of mine gave it to me many years ago, so I kept it. His older brother, he said, took it off a Japanese soldier who he killed on Iwo Jima........they said they didn't want it in the house. I can't get to it right now with the way the stuff is piled up in my room while it is being worked on.

Thanks,
Ron

Top one in the rack at this point.


Marks on the butt stock.

[Jareth]

It's a standard type 38 rifle in 6.5 caliber. The mum has been ground off. Prior to mum removal rifle was removed from military service & used as a trainer. Note kanji character on receiever below ground area & the extra "0"s in front of serial number.

[Ron C.]

Jareth,

Thanks. I assume that it is likely not as good as the other one I posted then......right or wrong? Is that a rifle number cut into the stock (like some of ours were done on the stocks in the 50s for ID within a unit......not the serial number stamped on the weapon). That was done for quick ID in the rack, instead of having to look for the smaller serial number. I was the unit armorer of my reserve unit, and we did that in my unit. Can you tell when this weapon was made,and any other particulars about it?

Thanks,
Ron

[Jamz]

Hello again:
This rifle still has the dust cover, it also has part of the serial # on the rear of it. Does it match? You are missing the monopod that goes into the little tab under the cleaning rod. Then it folds up to the stock just in front of the left hand grip
slot.
The Japanese sometimes threw these two 'noisy' pieces away. Some US vets pulled that coat hanger lookin' thing (monopod) off before shipping home.
John

[Jamz]

Hello:
Sorry, I'm describing the upper rifle, it has the dust cover.
But they both are missing the monopod. John
They both seem to have the desirable 'aircraft sights'. J

[Edokko]

The Type 38 rifle never had aircraft sights, nor monopods. I have seen a copy of original arsenal diagram of a revised Type 38 design that had plans to install a monopod just like the Type 97 sniper, but I believe it never happened in practice.

[Chako]

I don't believe this particular T99 ever had a monopod, either.
Best, C.

[Edokko]

Yep, the T-99 is a 5th-series and never had a monopod nor aircraft sights.