Translation request on Arisaka Type 30 Carbine

[lkgmadmax]

Hello guys, can anyone tell me what the characters mean in this photo on my rifle's receiver?

 

Thanks, David

 

https://plus.google.com/photos/11044407 ... wZGUtpaKNA

[watsonmil]

Dear David,

I believe the meaning is : Type 38 - Model of 1905, ... found in Long, Short and Carbine configurations. It is somewhat unusual to find the Chrysanthemum in place rather than either ground off or disfigured if captured during WWII. The Type 30 was used by front-line Japanese forces in the Russo-Japanese War. Although it was a major improvement over the Type 22 rifle (also known as “Murata”), it had some reliability and safety issues. Based on combat experience, an improved version, the Type 38 rifle, was introduced in 1905, although not all units received the new version and, as a result, a mixture of models was retained by the Japanese Army into World War I and even later into World War II. Part of the above information courtesy of Wikipedia.

... Ron Watson

[lkgmadmax]

Dear David,

I believe the meaning is : Type 38 - Model of 1905, ... found in Long, Short and Carbine configurations. It is somewhat unusual to find the Chrysanthemum in place rather than either ground off or disfigured if captured during WWII. The Type 30 was used by front-line Japanese forces in the Russo-Japanese War. Although it was a major improvement over the Type 22 rifle (also known as “Murata”), it had some reliability and safety issues. Based on combat experience, an improved version, the Type 38 rifle, was introduced in 1905, although not all units received the new version and, as a result, a mixture of models was retained by the Japanese Army into World War I and even later into World War II. Part of the above information courtesy of Wikipedia.

... Ron Watson

 

Thanks, Ron. The original gun owner (now deceased) brought it back from Burma while in service during the war. Since this was a bring back during war time the Chrysanthemum was still in place. I think the grinding of the Chrysanthemum was part of an agreement between Japan and the US at surrender time. It gets real confusing when you try to Google the Arisaka Type 30 cause you get a real mixture of rifles. But if the marking are stating Type 38 then that's what it is.

 

Thank you very much!

 

-David