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Redwagyu
05-06-2004, 08:30 PM
A sales rep from work brought in a rifle for me to look at yesterday which has been a wall hanger since his grandpa brought it back from the Pacific. (So the story goes)

Overall, pretty rough condition witha stock repair below the tang, pitting, some rust. I can ID it as a type 38 most likely; it has no mum and no clear arsenal marks. Faint stamping "1008" in left side of receiver, no front sight protectors. It has a a stamping "26" on the stock on the right side just about 1 inch below the fron band. No other marking. Has a bayonet with curved quillen, no serial marking or stamps found.

Seems like a type 38 to me, possibly an early one but the strange thing is that is is single shot. No mag, no mar catch on the trigger guard. Another thing- although the bore was really cruddy, after I cleaned it up some I see no parts of rifling at all. I have read that they made smoothbores for training and they should not be fired, but are the smoothbores single shot? Also, He asked what it might be worth. I told him not too much most likely but I'm really not sure about that.

Any thoughts or ideas about the type or worth? I'd post photos if I could....

Thanks:newbie: :Imconfuse

aliceinchains
05-06-2004, 08:52 PM
Most trainers were converted to smooth bore, and some did just have a serial number. Is the buttstock one piece?

I wish you had pics.

Redwagyu
05-06-2004, 08:56 PM
yes it is.

aliceinchains
05-06-2004, 09:10 PM
Well with it being a one piece buttstock i would say it is a trainer. There were so many variations.I would auction it on Gunbroker or Auction Arms if it is going to be sold. As far as value i have no idea.


I heard wind about a book coming out on Japanese training rifles.This is a rather hard subject to cover, but very interesting.Including the training bayonets.

Redwagyu
05-06-2004, 09:37 PM
Funny you mention training bayonets. This bayo doesn't have an edge, but it looks as if is was made that way, with no filing marks or signs of "dulling". As soon as I can ask my Daughter how to put up pics I'll try it. Thanks for the help:thanks:

neilwest
05-08-2004, 02:31 PM
1. Great info. Wish you had some pics. Shotgun news has some great info on the Japanese Carcano by the way.