What is My jap type 38 worth

[ThePreacher]

I have a Japanese type 38 rifle that I may have to sell I have been told it is the 24th series made by Kokura arsenal. It has a full untouched mum and a matching numbered bolt
The wood is dark with dings with a couple repaired cracks it has this odd split and dovetailed buttstock I dont know if this is typical or what it is for. The stok is two pieces that are dovetailed together but they will slid apart easily if you remove the butplate and sling swivel. The bluing is about 80% the barrel is very nice the receiver the reciever is about 70% blue 30% patin and rear hardware pitted and patina covered . The bolt is also pited. I dont want to sell this piece but I may need to if it is worth very much.

Thanks in advance

[Jericho]

I know that LPSpinner has been a wealth of info on prices, he has not posted a lot since his new job but you may want to PM him and see if he can help you :)

[neilwest]

1. You need to show some pics to get a better idea. The intact mum gets you around $300.00 IMO. But the arsenal etc I couldnt tell you.

[aliceinchains]

24th series made by Kokura arsenal is correct. The stock on your rifle is typical.Arsenal rebuilt rifles may have an all blued finish and/ or match by last 3 digits of the serial number.I am not sure how bad the pitting is but i think it will fetch 250 to 300 bucks.

[56s from the old days]

My dad brought back a few 38s and single shot shotguns from Japan after occupation. They are not worth very much. Last I saw them selling for around my area was $150.00 in 75%.
My dad also brought back quite a few Jap swords and bayos. I took the handles off of the swords and they have inscriptions on them and I would love to learn about their history.
I always asked him why he never brought any Nazi weapons back. His answer was his continued hatred towards the SS and the Nazis in general that left no desire to send home any Lugers or 98s.
BTW, I am very proud of my dad as he carried the big stick as he walked across Europe, the mighty BAR! He tells me that he was under orders to cut in half any and all SS that he came across. The stories that he has told me amase me to this day. The courage that our fathers had back then can only be dreamed about these days with the wave of liberals that are attempting to control us.
He saw first hand what both bombs did. He was on his way to invade Japan when we dropped the big ones. He was at Hiroshima five days after the drop and spent six months there until he was sent to Nagazaki (sp?) for another six. Flat is the best way to describe what he saw. He has suffered no sickness in his 79 years from that radiation exposure.
What a father!
Take care, OUT in...

[Disgruntled Computer Tech]

Originally posted by 56s from the old days
My dad brought back a few 38s and single shot shotguns from Japan after occupation. They are not worth very much. Last I saw them selling for around my area was $150.00 in 75%.
My dad also brought back quite a few Jap swords and bayos. I took the handles off of the swords and they have inscriptions on them and I would love to learn about their history.
I always asked him why he never brought any Nazi weapons back. His answer was his continued hatred towards the SS and the Nazis in general that left no desire to send home any Lugers or 98s.
BTW, I am very proud of my dad as he carried the big stick as he walked across Europe, the mighty BAR! He tells me that he was under orders to cut in half any and all SS that he came across. The stories that he has told me amase me to this day. The courage that our fathers had back then can only be dreamed about these days with the wave of liberals that are attempting to control us.
He saw first hand what both bombs did. He was on his way to invade Japan when we dropped the big ones. He was at Hiroshima five days after the drop and spent six months there until he was sent to Nagazaki (sp?) for another six. Flat is the best way to describe what he saw. He has suffered no sickness in his 79 years from that radiation exposure.
What a father!
Take care, OUT in...

Wow! :flagsal Your dad sounds cool! The only person I had in my family that served was my grandpa and he was in Korea. I am not quite sure what he did but I remember him telling me about giving smokes to Mamasans and papasans in exchange for them cleaning his tent. Oh and he told me about the dresses that the females would wear. When nature would call, they would just squat down on the side of the road and cut loose, then get up and walk away like it was totally normal. I need to look at his picture album again. :D