I started branching out a bit with collecting old military guns, and a local shop had a bunch of old Arisaka type 38’s so of course I brought a few.

The rifle in question in retrospect is a true frankengun.


Parts don’t match, looks like some refinishing done, duffel cut stock, etc.

I think I was taken on the price…

Anyhow, the question is related to collect ability and shootability.

The rifle in question is still chambered for 6.5 jap.

It has visible rifling looking down the barrel from the breech, but it’s all but impossible to see it with a borescope. I’m not really seeing much fouling, but it still comes out with some residue on the patches.

It came with a bayonet and a (reproduction) sling. No numbers match that I can see, but it does have the intact mum.


Shooting it, the brass looks ok, but it keyholes at 50 yards.

Is it reasonable to rebarrel this thing?

Does rebarreling it kill collector value? I know it’s not worth what I spent, but it is reasonably complete (dust cover, cleaning rod, bayonet)… and they certainly aren’t making more of them.

If it is reasonable, any comments on who would be a good choice for restoring it?

I also got a Jap carcano and the 7.7 at the same time. They shoot ok, so I haven’t taken a deep dive on those.

The only jap rifles that I have seen that bring any decent type of money.

Are those in great shape, complete and with the crest still intact.

Then compared to others the price is way down there.

If your Type 38 had any collectors value (it doesn't, but let's assume it did), putting a new b barrel on it will reduce the value by 75%.
Now, if you want it to shoot well, and want to spend money, sure, put a new barrel on it. These are the strongest actions made and cannot be blown up.
The bolt is shrouded by the barrel for like half in inch. I have rebarreled them for non collectors.

I guess that answers the question.

I brought it as a collection piece.

If it kills 75% of the value (as limited as it may be) to rebarrel then it’s relegated to a wall hanger.

I will ask a pal of mine, maybe he has a barrel in his trashcan of barrels from a past rebuild.
I have a "sporter" bent bolt handle, cut down stock D&T with bases. Trigger worked to give a 4# singlestage pull. I gave $35-40for it, way back.
The darn thing will shoot an inch or just over with 140 grn sierra bullets. I think the long bearing surface fills the bore well.

The lesson here is, don't buy rifles for a collection that have bad bores.

True, but hard to tell when someone’s lubed it up with cosmoline or heavy oil.


As I said, I did look and see rifling after pulling the bolt.

I just don’t see many old non-US milsurp guns here in military form.

It’s a learning process.

Lots of refinished or refabricated stuff out there being passed off as correct/original.

If I knew then what I know now…

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
The only jap rifles that I have seen that bring any decent type of money.

Are those in great shape, complete and with the crest still intact.

Then compared to others the price is way down there.

I have a cherry Type 99 in 7.7 with a ground Mum. With an unground Mum it would probably be "worth" twice as it is with a ground Mum. And, it's only
"worth" what somebody will pay it.

In the collectors world of Jap rifles, no Mum =
no money.

With a fine bore, the Type 38 is capable of outstanding accuracy.

Maybe too late and maybe out of your budget, but I saw this and remembered your thread…
https://www.ebay.com/itm/20460...tkp%3ABk9SR_bMj6qoYw