Japanese Type 38 carbine bringback from Vietnam

[Vietnam1965]

SP5 William Daugherty brought home this Japanese Type 38 carbine from Vietnam in 1969. I don't believe I've seen another Type 38 Vietnam war trophy.I believe this is my vet: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/234334643/william-joseph-daugherty

 

[Dave91]

Wow, what a find. So this was likely captured by the Chinese (or the Russians?) and provided to Communist forces in Vietnam?

Do you have any plans for trying to contact his family? It would be cool to possibly get more information about him.

 

[Growler215]

Very interesting. Seems like a logistics nightmare, although I understand the Chinese modified some of them to 7.62x39 after WWII.

 

[ken792]

Wow, what a find. So this was likely captured by the Chinese (or the Russians?) and provided to Communist forces in Vietnam?

Do you have any plans for trying to contact his family? It would be cool to possibly get more information about him.

The Japanese invaded French Indochina during WWII and many troops also deserted at the end of the war or otherwise stayed to advise the Viet Minh

Japanese invasion of French Indochina - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Japanese deserters in Indochina

Geoffrey Gunn At the official Japanese surrender ceremony in Saigon on 30 September, Field Marshal Terauchi Hisaichi agreed that Japanese troops would be responsible for law and order in southern I…

www.endofempire.asia

 

[outrider58]

Is that a true original Chrysanthemum?

 

[28Shooter]

Great history with that one!

 

[Vietnam1965]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

 

[somd_mustangs]

Is that a true original Chrysanthemum?

It sure appears to be. Interesting rifle and provenance!

 

[somd_mustangs]

follow-up to that would be, is it all-matching? Cool sling and what looks to be the muzzle cover.

 

[mawkie]

Original Japanese muzzle cover is a nice bonus for what looks to be a very nice T38 Carbine. Only the T44 muzzle covers are more desirable. Nice find!

 

[Growler215]

Interestingly, the Vietnamese paperwork indicates 7.62 caliber, but the American paperwork indicates 6.5mm. So it may have been a Chinese 7.62x39 conversion, although they would usually obliterate the chrysanthemum if the conversion was done at an arsenal. Can you tell if the bore is 6.5mm or 7.62mm?

I understand that during WWII, the Chinese also converted some to 7.92x57 Mauser (aka 8mm Mauser).

 

[Vietnam1965]

Here is the completed auction with info: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1039812978

 

[Vietnam1965]

I will check bore size when I have it in hand.

 

[Growler215]

From the Gunbroker pics it looks unmodified - no blocks at the front or back of the mag well to accommodate shorter 7.62x39 cartridges, no Chinese marking that I could see on receiver. Plus intact Chrysanthemum. So probably 6.5x50.

Looks pretty nice in the pictures. If the bore and chamber look OK, you could have an interesting shooter if you're interested in that.

 

[Defense Initiative]

Appears to be a Nagoya 5th Series, early 1943 production. The sling looks like it is Japanese, a difficult find.

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

That is a very nice find.

 

[Vietnam1965]

Thanks for the info guys!

 

[somd_mustangs]

waay down at the very end it does say "The markings include matching numbers on the receiver, bayonet lug, bolt handle, safety, and firing pin. " so there's that!
Looks like LSB has changed their background and camera game. I never liked that solid black background.

 

[mawkie]

Appears to be a Nagoya 5th Series, early 1943 production. The sling looks like it is Japanese, a difficult find.

Agree, an original Japanese sling is a beeg bonus. Hard to find.