Japanese Model 38

[lawrencewendall]

I have a Japanese carbine series 38 that I need to have spec'ed out by a gunsmith. It was originally a 6.5x50 but I've read that a lot of these were re-worked to fit US ammo. Any suggestions for a local gunsmith to give me the real specs on this gun? In the Glen Burnie area. Thanks.

 

[hole punch]

might want to post this in the Industry Partners area to get more attention.

 

[Jerry M]

Take it to Scots and have them do a chamber cast. That will determine if the chamber was reamed. It was common in the 50-60's to ream them to take the 257 Roberts case. What you wound up with, was a wildcat of 6.5-57 MM. Original brass was scarce.

Good luck

Jerry

 

[lawrencewendall]

bump

 

[lee2]

is it in original condition or has it been sporterized?

 

[j8064]

Good question lee2. But if it was sporterized that doesn't necessarily mean bubba got to the chamber too.

There are products available to make casts of the chamber and check it yourself, but for one rifle...?...I'd take it to Scott's in Glen Burnie and have the rifle looked at professionally.

If it was my rifle, I'd clean the chamber well, load a blank 6.5x50, test fire it and see what dimensions the case fire forms to and go from there. But that's just me.

In any case, an old Type 38 Arisaka (or any other gun) should be well checked before it's fired.

 

[Tractor Boy]

Firing blanks in a unknown chamber rifle is safe?

 

[j8064]

Firing blanks in a unknown chamber rifle is safe?

Depends on how and what you load them to do.

 

[boule]

bump

I can loan you some cases if you want to..... paint them and see if they chamber.....

 

[Tractor Boy]

Fact or myth? Blanks can be used to clear loose debris from barrel.

 

[boule]

Fact or myth? Blanks can be used to clear loose debris from barrel.

Depends on the type and amount of debris. If the barrel is pretty much clogged, it will clean things like action, stock and sights and even the shooter.

 

[kalister1]

I was watching a shooting match (TV) in an indoor arena. People on horse back would shoot at balloons with blanks. So something comes out.

 

[WSM]

is it in original condition or has it been sporterized?

He did a wax mold of the chamber last night and it appears to be 6.5x50, so bubba hasn't gotten his hands on it . That particular gun is a carbine but has what appears to be a full sized stock on it, where they manufactured like that?

 

[j8064]

There are a number of original configurations. Arisaka's are interesting to research. This is a starting place:
http://www.surplusrifle.com/arisaka/index.asp
And the link in the article: http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/japanese_markings.html

Most of the bubba'd versions are cut down. It would seem odd for someone to replace an original stock with anther type of original since original stocks aren't all that easy to find. But who knows what could have been done to it over the years.

Posting a pic would be helpful.

 

[WSM]

There are a number of original configurations. Arisaka's are interesting to research. This is a starting place:
http://www.surplusrifle.com/arisaka/index.asp
And the link in the article: http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/japanese_markings.html

Most of the bubba'd versions are cut down. It would seem odd for someone to replace an original stock with anther type of original since original stocks aren't all that easy to find. But who knows what could have been done to it over the years.

Posting a pic would be helpful.

My grandfather borrowed this rifle way back in the day, when he moved out into the country and didn't have a rifle to hunt with. A guy he worked with loaned him the rifle but died before my grandfather returned it so he just kept it. When my aunts and uncles were growing up this gun was used as a toy, my guess would be nobody could find ammo for it so they used it for cowboys and indians. Our family pretty much assumed it was non firing but that doesn't seem to be the case.

 

[j8064]

Interesting story. Unless the rifle is way beyond repair there's a good likelihood it's shootable. Arisaka's, especially the early war year vintage, were built with remarkably strong actions.
Surplus ammo is non-existent (or if you find any, it's collectable stuff). Hornady, PCI and Norma make loaded ammo in Boxer-primed cases - (perhaps even Prvi). Prvi does make cases, so if you reload, ammo can be built relatively easily and inexpensively. My T-99 is a helluva nice shooter. One day I'll find a decent T-38 to go with it.

 

[WSM]

Yeah, one of my uncles once told me the barrel was rusted shut but I've looked down the barrel and you can see daylight. I have no idea what the bore looks but the rifle looks all original. The mum is also partially in tact.

 

[j8064]

Only one way to find out what the bore looks like...get to cleaning. Many of the early years were chrome lined so you may be surprised.

 

[lawrencewendall]

Been doing some more research. 3 different sites give 3 different specs

Norma

Italian War Site

and finally Wikipedia

Specifications
Case type Semi-rimmed, bottlenecked
Bullet diameter 6.705 mm (0.2640 in)
Neck diameter 7.34 mm (0.289 in)
Shoulder diameter 10.59 mm (0.417 in)
Base diameter 11.35 mm (0.447 in)
Rim diameter 11.84 mm (0.466 in)
Rim thickness 1.143 mm (0.0450 in)
Case length 50.39 mm (1.984 in)
Overall length 75.69 mm (2.980 in)
Primer type Large rifle

Go figure!

 

[WSM]

This photo is for teaching purposes only