[TheSovietSamurai]

Hi everybody, I recently purchased this Type 38 although I do not currently have it in my possession, trying to figure out its' origins and possibly a period of manufacture. It has eight small circles stamped around/Over the crysanthemum, which I believe indicates that it was shipped out of service with the Japanese, to whom exactly I have no idea. I've heard Thailand is a possibility, as well as Britain during the Great War. I've only recently had an interest in the Arisaka series of rifles and my knowledge is limited, I was hoping somebody could shed a little light on it for me. I only have these two images at the moment, I believe that the rifle is a Nagoya and the serial is verified as 30721, it also appears to have a one-piece stock.
I am situated in Australia by the way, and coincidentally the majority of Type 38's that I've seen here have had these circles stamped around the mum, which leads me to believe they must be connected to a relatively close nation.
Apparently the previous owner has had this rifle locked away for quite some time, it belonged to his father decades ago. Any thoughts?

 

[david cunningham]

some sat that 8 circles were stamped on the siamese contract rifles.

 

[roadmouse]

I am situated in Australia by the way, and coincidentally the majority of Type 38's that I've seen here have had these circles stamped around the mum, which leads me to believe they must be connected to a relatively close nation.

not so, the majority of the type 38 found here in Belgium have that too so...

 

[Gregg]

Sold out of service markings.
Many were sold by Japan to England during the early years of WWI.
They ended up all over Europe, and in Canada.
Gregg

 

[seinen]

Subject to Frank's correction, I'm pretty sure this was a Thai contract example. The circles have been stamped well outside the outer periphery of the petals. Type 38 school rifles with this type of mum overstamping have the circles placed on, or inside, the edges of the petals.

C/

 

[1886lebel]

If the series is the 27th, it was one that went to Thailand in 1940 which they designated as the Type 2483
Thailand purchased these along with ammunition, tanks, airplanes, etc. as they were preparing to go to war with the Vichy French in Indochine over disputed territory in both Laos and Cambodia which resulted in the Franco-Thai War (October 1940–May 9, 1941). Most of these rifles were designated to be used by the reserve forces to free up the Siamese Mausers (Type 2446 Rifle and Type 2447 (Short Rifle (Carbine)) and Type 2466 Rifles for front-line service.

Patrick

 

[Francis C. Allan]

Definitely Thai Type 83 (a la Type 38 Japanese). When these were surplused by Thai, the US was not allowing military arms to be imported here. Most were sold in Europe, Canada and Australia. That is why some showed up in Belgium.

Frank

 

[Ronin48]

How can you own a rifle in Australia? I thought private firearm ownership, unless kept locked at a hunting (?) club was a NO-NO?

 

[TheSovietSamurai]

How can you own a rifle in Australia? I thought private firearm ownership, unless kept locked at a hunting (?) club was a NO-NO?

That's a common misconception, the 'genuine reasons' for firearms ownership over here are hunting, collecting and target shooting, as long as the individual holds a Cat A/B longarms license, which includes bolt actions and shotguns, very easy to acquire. I own close to twenty military bolt-actions myself, all locked up in my own safe at home.

Thanks for the info everybody, it was my suspicion that it was Thai related, interesting history there.