Japanese Arisaka Type 38 rifle & bayonet

In March of 1945 during World War II, my father and his battalion were in Manila, Philippines. The Allies fought the Japanese there and killed many thousands. The Walled City, or Intramuros, was one of the places the enemy was fighting from. This is where this Japanese Arisaka Type 38 rifle and bayonet were found. You can read the whole story on page 151 of my book, Dad’s War Photos: Adventures in the South Pacific.

Author Neal Bertrand holding the Japanese Arisaka Type 38 rifle and bayonet his father found in the Philippines during WWII.

The rifle is 50 1/4 inches long (127.63 cm) and weighs a hefty 8 pounds 8 1/2 ounces (3.87 kg).

The bayonet that was found with it weighs 1 pound 1.3 ounces (.49 kg), and is 20 1/4 inches long (51.4 cm).

There is a hole in the forestock where a bullet went through the wood and bent a piece of metal.

According to an excellent article I found HERE it uses a rimless 6.5mm cartridge.

If a soldier knew he would be captured, he was to file off the mum on his Japanese Arisaka Type 38. This rifle still has the mark of the emperor on it, which is a 16-petal chrysanthemum. The Japanese characters below the mum spell out Type 38.

Japanese Arisaka Type 38 rifle showing 16-petal chrysanthemum and characters spelling “Type 38.”

Japanese Arisaka Type 38 rifle showing 16-petal chrysanthemum and characters spelling “Type 38.” Japanese Arisaka Type 38 rifle showing 16-petal chrysanthemum and characters that spell Type 38.

The series of six numbers on the left side of the receiver is the serial number of the Japanese Arisaka Type 38, which is 749348. The circle symbol of the manufacturer is to the right of the numbers.

Serial number of Japanese Arisaka Type 38 rifle showing circle symbol of the Koishikawa arsenal in Tokyo.

This site (CLICK HERE) helped me find out that the Japanese Arisaka Type 38 rifle and bayonet were both manufactured at the Koishikawa (Tokyo) Arsenal and was made prior to 1936.

Japanese Arisaka Type 38 rifle showing B on the barrel as a proof mark symbol.

Another identifying mark is that it has the B on the barrel as a proof mark symbol. Other versions have an “S”. This “B” symbol is also on the left side of the barrel, but three inches to the left of the numbers.

The bayonet that belongs to this Japanese Arisaka Type 38 has the hooked quillon, the Birdshead contoured pommel (the end of the handle) and has the four-circle symbol of the Koishikawa (Tokyo) Arsenal at the top near the cross-piece.

The bayonet that belongs to this Japanese Arisaka Type 38 rifle.

As seen below, what is supposed to be a round metal hole to attach the bayonet to the rifle has been flattened, making it impossible to attach. The four-circle symbol is also visible. I rubbed white powder on it to help you see it better.

A closer view of the arsenal’s symbol on the bayonet that belongs to this Japanese Arisaka Type 38 rifle.

If you have not yet purchased my book, Dad’s War Photos: Adventures in the South Pacific, I would encourage you to do so now. Click the “BUY NOW” button under the book cover. And please SHARE this post with your friends using the social media icons below.