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Topic: Type 38 Japanese Bolt Action Rifle (photos) |
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54scooper
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Posted on: Jul 26, 2014 - 8:22pm
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The below pictured Type 38 (6.5mm) rifle was captured by the crew of PT-324 during operations in the Philippines. There are a couple of features I thought were interesting. First, the collapsable sighting system. The second photo shows it raised. Looks more like an anti-aircraft sight. The other interesting feature is the chrysanthemum (flower) stamped on the receiver. As most know, the chrysanthemum was the symbol of the Emperor and was considered sacrosanct. Most Japanese weapons had the chrysanthemum stamped somewhere on them. Because the Japanese thought it was shameful to surrender, and that includes surrendering weapons to enemies, they often made an effort to remove or, at a minimum, deface the chrysanthemum if the weapon was in danger of being captured. The third photo is a close-up of the chrysanthemum and it appears that an attempt was made to deface it on this rifle.
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Will Day
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Posted on: Jul 26, 2014 - 9:43pm
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That is called a leaf sight. Standard on many rifles during the war.
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Frank Andruss
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Posted on: Jul 27, 2014 - 7:48am
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I two of these rifles that were donated to my Exhibit. These rifles towards the end of the war were slapped together quickly, which is why on some of the later ones, ( I have one) the butt plate is not metal but wood. The earlier one that I have is really nice with metal butt plate, and it actually has the attached trip pod mount on it, simple thin metal but effective. The early rifle I have has the stamped flower on it, yet the late war one I have does not. They really threw these things together, just to get them on the front lines to their troops.
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TED WALTHER
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Posted on: Jul 27, 2014 - 8:16am
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Shep;
I too had a Type 38 rifle Arisaka, which my Dad brought back from the Pacific, identical to this one with bayonet. Your Imperial Chrysanthemum or Kikkamonshô in Japanese, does look like a minimum effort to deface it was made, maybe with a small tool and hammer. Those are unusual markings to be on an emblem so sacred. My Dad's was an early model, but the emblem was ground off and an indentation was there, like a grinding wheel. Dad also brought back a Japanese Officers sword. I think he picked them up in the Marianas while his APA 132 USS Barnwell was chugging along in 1945.
Take care,
TED
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54scooper
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Posted on: Jul 27, 2014 - 10:36am
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Frank and Ted, thanks for your comments. As most on this forum probably know, the Type 38 and Type 99 were the standard Japanese infantry rifles during WW II. The Type 38 I inherited from my dad has a metal butt plate, but it is missing its cleaning rod and bayonet. An Army Reserve Colonel doctor I knew through Reserve duty knew a lot about Japanese weapons and he did a partial restoration of the rifle for me. I'm sure it's in firing condition, but I'm also certain that it would be difficult to find ammunition.
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Drew Cook
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Posted on: Jul 27, 2014 - 2:17pm
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My cousin Skip had a breakdown "paratrooper" version of the same, if not similar, type rifle. I know it was an Arisaka, and it came apart in the middle. I remember buying the 7.7 rounds for it so we could shoot it. I fired the brute a few times on the range, and it had a kick like a mule. My right shoulder was colorfully bruised for several days afterwards.
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