[jcs44]

Gentlemen,

I'm a new visitor to this forum. Last weekend, a friend gave me an old rifle and I have enough information laying around to determine that it is probably a Type 38. However, this rifle is a single shot version with a solid floor plate/trigger guard assembly. On the top of the receiver, there are some Japanese symbols, but no mum. There are very few other markings. The stock looks like mahogony and is very dark and rough. The front sight is a simple inverted V without the ears. The rear sight is the tangent type with V grooves and no aperture. The rifle is about 50 inches long. The fact that it is single shot makes me think late war, but it does not resemble the photos I've seen of the Type 99. Any idea what I have here??

Thanks, JCS44

 

[Vicasoto]

Hello jcs44:
A picture of the markings on top of the receiver ought to pin it down, but for the moment I believe you are describing a training rifle.
Vicasoto

 

[jcs44]

Training rifle makes a lot of sense. I've got to check those marking more thoroughly. Thanks.

 

[seinen]

Definitely sounds like a Japanese training rifle. The serial number will be aother real clue.

C/

 

[jcs44]

I took a hard look at all markings last night. I don't see anything that resembles an arsenal/contractor marking. There is no Mum or concentric circles. On the left side of the receiver, it looks like an L and then some space and then S16. The S16 appears on several other parts like the bolt, floor plate, and underside of the barrell. There are three Japanese markings on the top of the receiver which I'll attempt to describe:

The mark closest to the barrell looks like an ornate T with a "hook" on the left side of the top. It then has another cross down a little from the top with a hash mark between the two crosses on the right side.

The middle mark is two parts. The left side looks like a long skinny T with a small cross piece just below the top. The right side is a rectangle.

The bottom mark is the most ornate and looks a bit like a T that sweeps off to the right from top to bottom. It has a long cross piece just below the top and what looks like an I on the left side. Does this description make any sense?

My guess is a training rifle made by Koishikawa, pre 1935.

Can someone tell me how to disassemble the bolt?

Thanks for the help, JCS44

 

[seinen]

From your description of the receiver logo, you almost certainly have a T-38 "Peace Type" training rifle. I don't know yet who made these, but the maker was a private company, not a government arsenal. As a general rule, the Japanese govenment arsenal system wasn't involved in producing training rifles. This brand of training rifle is very common.

The bolt disassembles in the same basic manner as a Japanese T-38 service rifle bolt.

C/

 

[jcs44]

Many thnks C/,

So where can I find a bolt disassembly diagram or instructions?

Thanks, John

 

[seinen]

So where can I find a bolt disassembly instructions? Thanks, John

Remove the bolt from the rifle. Holding the bolt in your left hand (or right hand if you're left-handed), push in firmly and completely on the rear of the safety knob (you'll be exerting pressure against the spring) with the palm of your other hand. Rotate the knob fully to the right and allow the spring pressure to push the knob out of the rear of the firing pin and bolt. The firing pin may then be pulled out of the bolt body. Reassemble in reverse order.

C/

 

[jcs44]

That's an easy one. Thanks!

 

[seinen]

That's an easy one. Thanks!

Yes, the Japanese T-38 and T-99 bolts aren't that difficult to disassemble. Let me know if you have any problems with my instructions. I know they were pretty abbreviated.

C/

 

[jcs44]

C/

Well it sounds easy anyway. I think I have a bent part in the bolt as it does not push in or turn. It works in the rifle but is very stiff. I think it was frozen up at some point and someone used a hammer to free it up. The rear of the receiver has pieces of metal broken off from both sides. Oh well, it's just a wall hanger anyway.

Also, I got around to cleaning the barrell and the bore is awful. Nor does it have any rifling at all. Make me think it was for something other than training?

The bottom marking on the receiver is the same Japanese character that is on a picture of a training T 38 you posted.

Thanks, John

 

[seinen]

Sorry to hear about the condition of your Peace Type trainer. The bores on these trainers are typically in bad condition. None were factory rifled.

The receiver characters on these Peace Type trainers read, from top to bottom: "Heiwa Shiki", or "Peace Type." This literal translation has been used for years by numerous authors, however, I've lately been wondering if the first two kanji "heiwa" don't really refer to a company name. Even today, there are several corporate entities with names beginning with "Heiwa." Just some food for thought.

C/

 

[jcs44]

C/,

Oh well, it makes for a nice conversation piece. I really appreciate all your help and advice on this. I've learned al lot in a short few days here. Where can I find a decent T38 for my collection?

John

 

[seinen]

Where can I find a decent T38 for my collection? John

On occasion, one will turn up on the forum trader and for-sale boards but, for the best selection, the major online auctions are your best bet. Try monitoring Auctionarms, Gunbroker, etc.

C/