Post by one50 on Jul 13, 2009 6:53:11 GMT 8
While on vacation I continued my research on Japanese firearms for you. I took with me the book “Combat over Corregidor” written by Dr. Charles Bradford of the 503rd. If you do not own a copy I highly recommend it, check it out at the PX. I decided to write up an article on the type 38 carbine because of one of the incidences mentioned in the book and also to continue my focus on 6.5mm firearms that I believe were solely used on Corregidor by the Japanese.
The incident mentioned is as follows from page 124.
“A p.t. commander told me of one case where a Japanese who was clinging to a bamboo pole swam toward him to be rescued. The hollow bamboo, however, concealed a carbine which the Japanese futilely pulled forth at the last moment and fired one shot toward the boat…”
With this little bit of information, I decided to write this article about Type 38 carbines.
In 1905 Colonel Nariaki Arisaka developed and approved the Type 38 rifle. In 1906 (38th year of Meiji ) the Japanese army adopted the rifle which became the standard rifle from 1906 – 1939. With the successful development of the rifle a smaller version was needed for cavalry troops. The Type 38 carbine was quickly developed as well. The Type 38 carbine is basically a Mauser type action and chambered for the 6.5mm round. The Type 38 carbine differs from early issue Type 38 rifles in having a left side mounted sling swivels, protected front sight, modified rear sight and a shorter barrel length.
The Type 38 Carbine is 38 inches long with a 19 inch barrel, a 17 ¼ inch cleaning rod and rear sight graduated from 400 – 2000 meters. Like it’s full length counterpart, the Type 38 Carbine has a straight bolt handle, sliding dust cover and held 5 rounds in the magazine chamber. The Type 38 rifle and carbine were produced until 1939 when the Type 99 short rifle replaced it.
The markings below are found on the top of the receiver indicating Type 38. A royal chrysanthemum would also be on top of the receiver. Usually defaced in some fashion.
3 8 type
三 八 式
The incident mentioned is as follows from page 124.
“A p.t. commander told me of one case where a Japanese who was clinging to a bamboo pole swam toward him to be rescued. The hollow bamboo, however, concealed a carbine which the Japanese futilely pulled forth at the last moment and fired one shot toward the boat…”
With this little bit of information, I decided to write this article about Type 38 carbines.
In 1905 Colonel Nariaki Arisaka developed and approved the Type 38 rifle. In 1906 (38th year of Meiji ) the Japanese army adopted the rifle which became the standard rifle from 1906 – 1939. With the successful development of the rifle a smaller version was needed for cavalry troops. The Type 38 carbine was quickly developed as well. The Type 38 carbine is basically a Mauser type action and chambered for the 6.5mm round. The Type 38 carbine differs from early issue Type 38 rifles in having a left side mounted sling swivels, protected front sight, modified rear sight and a shorter barrel length.
The Type 38 Carbine is 38 inches long with a 19 inch barrel, a 17 ¼ inch cleaning rod and rear sight graduated from 400 – 2000 meters. Like it’s full length counterpart, the Type 38 Carbine has a straight bolt handle, sliding dust cover and held 5 rounds in the magazine chamber. The Type 38 rifle and carbine were produced until 1939 when the Type 99 short rifle replaced it.
The markings below are found on the top of the receiver indicating Type 38. A royal chrysanthemum would also be on top of the receiver. Usually defaced in some fashion.
3 8 type
三 八 式