Does anyone know how to estimate the date of manufacture of a T38 Arisaka? Fomr this page: http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/japanese_markings.html, I have determined that it is a Tokyo manufacture, no series marking, with a S/N of about 950000
Relative date of T38 Arisaka Manufacture
- Thread starter jefnvk
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Harley Nolden
Staff In Memoriam
I have sent, by separate email, what I have on the Arisaka
HJN
HJN
Mike Irwin
Staff
Problem is, the Type 38 was made, in almost unchanged form, for nearly 40 years. Probably more than 15 million were made, even though that site says 6.5 million. I think that figure is dramatically low.
It was not uncommon for the serial numbers to be repeated, so pinning down a date of manufacture can be almost impossible.
You can get a clue as to relative date of manufacture from the quality of the materials. Things started to go downhill fairly quickly after 1939 as Japan became more and more pressed.
It was not uncommon for the serial numbers to be repeated, so pinning down a date of manufacture can be almost impossible.
You can get a clue as to relative date of manufacture from the quality of the materials. Things started to go downhill fairly quickly after 1939 as Japan became more and more pressed.
I am thinking that it was before 1932, as it has no series. I don't have another one to compare it to. Anyway, I don't know if this helps at looking at the craftsmenship, but here are some pics:
Sorry I don't have one of the serial number. I lost that when my computer died, and the gun is about 500 miles away right now.
Sorry I don't have one of the serial number. I lost that when my computer died, and the gun is about 500 miles away right now.