USdog Posted May 31, 2016 Share #1 Posted May 31, 2016 Nothing spectacular, but I picked up this Type 38 rifle from the veterans son at a garage sale. I won't post the name, but the vet served in the Navy as a 40mm gun loader on a small ship designated as the USS LCS(L)(3)-11 where he saw combat at Okinawa. He traded a pair of binoculars for this very rifle while over there and came back with it in '46. Whether it be Okinawa or mainland Japan where he got it, I don't know unfortunately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USdog Posted May 31, 2016 Author Share #2 Posted May 31, 2016 Vets initials etched in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USdog Posted May 31, 2016 Author Share #3 Posted May 31, 2016 ...Possible Naval marking on sling??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USdog Posted May 31, 2016 Author Share #4 Posted May 31, 2016 ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USdog Posted May 31, 2016 Author Share #5 Posted May 31, 2016 ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USdog Posted May 31, 2016 Author Share #6 Posted May 31, 2016 The vet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USdog Posted May 31, 2016 Author Share #7 Posted May 31, 2016 A little about his ship http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/05/050011.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted May 31, 2016 Share #8 Posted May 31, 2016 Thats a nice 38.Dont see them unmessed with to often anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamski Posted May 31, 2016 Share #9 Posted May 31, 2016 Nice! -Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave peifer Posted May 31, 2016 Share #10 Posted May 31, 2016 and with the sling,nice bonus,great to have a photo..................dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USdog Posted May 31, 2016 Author Share #11 Posted May 31, 2016 Thanks guys. He did have the bayonet but has since lost track of it in his house. I left my number. Hopefully he is able to find it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3IDGarand Posted May 31, 2016 Share #12 Posted May 31, 2016 Nice! It even has the mum on it and the cleaning rod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rakkasan187 Posted May 31, 2016 Share #13 Posted May 31, 2016 Nice to see that the chrysanthemum has not been ground off.. Leigh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timberwolf Posted May 31, 2016 Share #14 Posted May 31, 2016 Very nice rifle! In great shape too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted May 31, 2016 Share #15 Posted May 31, 2016 With an unground MUM I would think that this piece came from a battle zone. Nice catch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USdog Posted May 31, 2016 Author Share #16 Posted May 31, 2016 With an unground MUM I would think that this piece came from a battle zone. Nice catch. You might be right. I looked into that more after you said that and this is what I found. I guess that would make it more likely that it came off Okinawa. "All rifle production stopped when Japan surrendered in August 1945. American occupation forces destroyed all production tools. The terms of surrender required the Japanese to disarm their forces and deliver all weapons at times and places prescribed by commanders of the occupation forces. During collection of arms under this directive, the Japanese requested permission from Allied Headquarters to be allowed to remove the imperial Japanese seal from all rifles before they were turned over to occupation forces. Permission was granted and the crests were -around off all surrendered rifles. (Underlining added) The only rifles with the crests intact were those captured in combat zones." (5) http://www.gunboards.com/sites/banzai/FeatArts/MumMystery/MissingMum.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikie Posted May 31, 2016 Share #17 Posted May 31, 2016 Great rifle! My Dad sent one back from Saipan. It was one of the few of many souvenirs he sent back to actually reach home. He used to grouse about some rear echelon postal inspector vets houses filled with the stuff he picked up and shipped home that never reached my grandparents. I wish I knew what my brother did with it after Dad passed away. Enjoy! Mikie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellasilva Posted May 31, 2016 Share #18 Posted May 31, 2016 Nice find, Connor! I have a Type 99 with an intact mum, found it at a yard sale when I was 14 for $25. The stock is sporterized, but other than that pretty decent condition. Is the bolt complete? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USdog Posted May 31, 2016 Author Share #19 Posted May 31, 2016 Nice find, Connor! I have a Type 99 with an intact mum, found it at a yard sale when I was 14 for $25. The stock is sporterized, but other than that pretty decent condition. Is the bolt complete? Sounds cool, Phil. You should get a correct stock for it, would be well worth it I think. Bolt is complete. It just has the dust cover or whatever they call it still attached. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USCapturephotos Posted May 31, 2016 Share #20 Posted May 31, 2016 I love the fact that you were able to get a photo of the vet and the name of his vessel with the artifact. That adds so much. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundance Posted June 1, 2016 Share #21 Posted June 1, 2016 A sling, cleaning rod, dust cover and an intact mum - you win. I've got to start going to garage sales. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted June 1, 2016 Share #22 Posted June 1, 2016 Very nice pick up...congrats! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USdog Posted June 1, 2016 Author Share #23 Posted June 1, 2016 Thanks all. I made sure to get all of the history on it as I could. The son was kind enough to give me that original photo of his dad and tell me a bit of the history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suwanneetrader Posted June 1, 2016 Share #24 Posted June 1, 2016 I also found one complete with dust cover, etc at a WWII Navy Vets yard sale, about 4 or 5 years ago. He said the Japanese had a sub base at Guam and they docked there with their sub. The Skipper let them take turns going ashore in small groups. When he went he said it looked like no one had messed with anything left behind. He said their where 5 or 6 rifles standing in the corner of one of the offices they went in and he got one along with a Japanese small ship bubble compass which I also bought. These type of items are now almost non-existant in Central FL. If you collect WWII bring backs you should keep as will most likely never find another documented one. If you have enough send for or ask a Member to help. If that is an anchor on sling then I think it is probable for Naval Landing Force, but I'm no expert. Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogface72 Posted June 12, 2016 Share #25 Posted June 12, 2016 I'm pretty sure the dust cover was numbered to the rifle, and I heard many Japanese soldiers would remove them because they rattled...so getting a complete rifle is a bonus + the mum......not the easiest to find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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