Type 38 stock finish

[Ls6man]

I de-stocked the rifle and am having a hard time finding any serial numbers or assembly numbers in the stock or handguard. The rifle is a "no series" rifle made in Tokyo. The serial range is 1,145,xxx which appears to be in the late teen's as far as production and what I can find.

I do see what looks like a "house" (square with a triangle on top) stamping in the stock channel near the action area. I don't see any other numbers or symbols in the stock or handguard though. There appears to be a square stamped in the handguard as well. The buttplate is cupped from looking at it (similar to a 98k cupped buttplate vs. a pre-1941 plate).

The stock appears to have orginial finish in the channel and is a deep reddish color with remmants of varinsh inside.

Where in the barrel channel will the assembly numbers typically be?

TIA

Greg

[Dad]

The assembly number on my Type 38's handguard is located in the middle of the barrel channel halfway between the front and back. The assembly number of the buttstock is located in the middle of the barrel channel towards the front around the area were the handguard is located.
You are looking for a three number stamping consisting of the first three digits of the serial number, it is usually preceded by a kanji.
In your case it is probably obscured by the original finish.
I'm not sure, but I believe that early "no series" Type 38s had flat buttplates.

D.

[dave]

That is why in said the color would show different on different stocks. I think the stain color was consistent but different pieces of wood showed it in many shades.
Never heard the story about bars and elbows, doubt it or you would get rash from rifles. But many saliors got skin rash from sanding their rifles. Navy doc's finially figured it out.
As i said, the barrel channel will likely have original finish which can be used to match new stain.

[Ls6man]

I've been looking for the serial number in the stock channel but can't find one. it is possible it is covered by old varnish. Is there anything you guys would reccomend to take off the really old varnish to maybe expose a serial?

Also the stock has a cupped buttplate. Aby idea of if that would be correct for a rifle in the 1,1xx,xxx range?

What stain do you guys find is best for a darker finish?

[dave]

Go back to my second post, I gave results of what I have done with stain!

[Guamsst]

Merlot is one you may want to try. It is a deep red but should be tested on a hidded spot before use.

I tried to check the stock on my Type38 but the screws are untouched and I couldn't get the handguard off without tools so I am not willing to pull the stock off. All indications are that the stock is original to the rifle and has original finish.


As to the Japanese using different colors of stain. I think the shades varied a little but not much and then later on they switched to not using a stain or using a very light stain.

The Type I rifles are usually tan and have the standard Carcano finish. I suspect that Beretta finished the stocks out to their own specs not Jap specs.

[Ls6man]

I'm curious if anyone has a "no series" rifle and whether it has a flat or cupped buttplate.

[Deano41]

In checking The Type 38 Arisaka by Allan, the no series rifles all had flat butt plates. There were flat and cupped butt plates used on the rifles made by Nagoya and Kokura arsenals, in the late '30's-early'40's The mark you describe in the barrel channel sounds like it could be Nagoya Arsenal.

It might be that your rifle was restocked with a Nagoya stock. That would explain the cupped butt plate and no number in the barrel channel.

Dean (the other one)

[Ls6man]

That sounds like it could be the case. Thanks for the info.

Greg

[Toulgas]

Great picture reference, Guamsst. Invaluable...