Quazit
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- Joined
- Jan 24, 2020
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- 13
So, some time ago, I walked into a local pawn shop and saw what was a Japanese Arisaka Type 38. It was unusual and it was cheap so I picked it up.
en.wikipedia.org
After a lot of indulgence into history, I discovered that this was a specific rifle made for a very specific task.
In Japan during WWII, the Japanese Army needed something to save on Ammo to sight in their heavy guns. They didn't want (Or couldn't afford) to keep shooting cannons with actual ammunition for sighting them in. So someone there devised a "Carriage" that would rest on top of the heavy guns. In this carriage they would bolt a Type 38 Arisaka and use that to sight the big guns in. It was a unique/cheap/novel way to get the job done.
The Arisaks in question (I will add photos) does have a "scrubbed" mum or "chrysanthemum" or Logo of the Emperor. "Scrubbed" meaning this logo that was stamped into the forged barrel hood was ground off by American forces (But still partially visible in many cases). As to the uniqueness and shootability of the gun. It is Chambered in 5.6x50 JAP which was the standard Japanese round for these weapons. It is a full length rifle just like one which would be carried in combat (In fact it probably was dual use).
It took me a few years to track down the author of a book, The Early Arisakas Mr. Francis Allen.
These are rare. Speaking to the man who wrote the book on them Francis Allen, there are probably 20 or so in the U.S. For whatever reason, people do not value them very high which really surprises me still. I dont shoot it, but its a keeper for me as is the email from Mr. Francis Allen.
"Nagoya 28th Series sub-caliber training rifle"
Accpording to Mr. Frances Allen who published a comprehensive book on Arisakas in 2007,
"
To mount the rifles for this purpose holes were drilled in the rear of the stock and threaded sleeves were fitted so that the weapons could be screwed securely to the mount or a cross bolt was fitted. The forward portion of the rifles were either retained by a cross bolt fitted through the rear barrel band or held in place by clamps attached to the mount.
Type 38 infantry rifles were utilized in at least three known variations of these devices. These are:
Type 90 – This device was designed to be substituted in the standard mount for the 57mm tank gun of the Type 89 CHI-RO medium tanks. The rifle retained its original 6.5mm Japanese caliber. The rifle and the mounting apparatus, plus transportation box and special tools weighted 55lbs. (25kg).
Type 94 – This mounting was utilized as a substitute for the standard mount for the 37mm tank gun of the Type 95 HA-GO light tank. Again the rifle caliber remained unchanged. The rifle and the mounting apparatus, plus transportation box and special tools weighted 77lbs. (35kg).
Type 97 – This apparatus was intended for use as a substitute for the normal main gun mount in early Type 97 CHI-HA medium tanks. The rifle and the mounting apparatus, plus transportation box and special tools weighted 73lbs. (33kg)."
Type 38 rifle - Wikipedia
After a lot of indulgence into history, I discovered that this was a specific rifle made for a very specific task.
In Japan during WWII, the Japanese Army needed something to save on Ammo to sight in their heavy guns. They didn't want (Or couldn't afford) to keep shooting cannons with actual ammunition for sighting them in. So someone there devised a "Carriage" that would rest on top of the heavy guns. In this carriage they would bolt a Type 38 Arisaka and use that to sight the big guns in. It was a unique/cheap/novel way to get the job done.
The Arisaks in question (I will add photos) does have a "scrubbed" mum or "chrysanthemum" or Logo of the Emperor. "Scrubbed" meaning this logo that was stamped into the forged barrel hood was ground off by American forces (But still partially visible in many cases). As to the uniqueness and shootability of the gun. It is Chambered in 5.6x50 JAP which was the standard Japanese round for these weapons. It is a full length rifle just like one which would be carried in combat (In fact it probably was dual use).
It took me a few years to track down the author of a book, The Early Arisakas Mr. Francis Allen.
These are rare. Speaking to the man who wrote the book on them Francis Allen, there are probably 20 or so in the U.S. For whatever reason, people do not value them very high which really surprises me still. I dont shoot it, but its a keeper for me as is the email from Mr. Francis Allen.
"Nagoya 28th Series sub-caliber training rifle"
Accpording to Mr. Frances Allen who published a comprehensive book on Arisakas in 2007,
"
To mount the rifles for this purpose holes were drilled in the rear of the stock and threaded sleeves were fitted so that the weapons could be screwed securely to the mount or a cross bolt was fitted. The forward portion of the rifles were either retained by a cross bolt fitted through the rear barrel band or held in place by clamps attached to the mount.
Type 38 infantry rifles were utilized in at least three known variations of these devices. These are:
Type 90 – This device was designed to be substituted in the standard mount for the 57mm tank gun of the Type 89 CHI-RO medium tanks. The rifle retained its original 6.5mm Japanese caliber. The rifle and the mounting apparatus, plus transportation box and special tools weighted 55lbs. (25kg).
Type 94 – This mounting was utilized as a substitute for the standard mount for the 37mm tank gun of the Type 95 HA-GO light tank. Again the rifle caliber remained unchanged. The rifle and the mounting apparatus, plus transportation box and special tools weighted 77lbs. (35kg).
Type 97 – This apparatus was intended for use as a substitute for the normal main gun mount in early Type 97 CHI-HA medium tanks. The rifle and the mounting apparatus, plus transportation box and special tools weighted 73lbs. (33kg)."
