$100 a screw!

[Guamsst]

The wife and I hit the Chinese buffet last night and my fortune cookie said I would find an unexpected treasure. The wife and I joked about how it must mean I would find something really good at the gunshow today. After finding a paratrooper bayonet recently I kind of laughed it off as I doubted I'd find anything as rare again this soon.

Today, I saw a guy with a rack of good military rifles. He had a type 99 and a type 38 Arisaka both with bayonets. Both were in good shape but he had no prices on anything. I figured he was probably too high for me so I took a long good look before I asked about prices. The type 38 was back in the corner of the rack and a bit hidden. I could see the bayonet with frog, cleaning rod, and dust cover. As I got to the bottom of the stock I couldn't believe it. One bigass screw in each side. If you aren't familiar with what I am talking about, it is an "artillery, or tanker" rifle. The screws (bolts) in the stock are to fix it into a cradle next to the artillery piece, or tanks main gun, as an aiming device.

I have seen ONE before and it was at Tulsa. That one was not as nice and was missing one of the screws. It was also if I remember correctly, about $1,200.

I asked the guy and he said $650! Then he proceeded to tell me what it was and what the screws were for. He agreed to $500 without the Bayonet and I rounded up the money fairly quickly.

I am so happy with it. It's in great shape and matching numbers but no mum. I would have paid $300 for it if it was a normal Type38. So, I figure those screws are worth $100 a piece to me.

[Guamsst]

[PhillipM]

Neat. Thanks for the lesson.

[madsenshooter]

Those ought to hold that dovetail together! That's likely what I'd have thought if I'd ran across one.

[Guamsst]

Those ought to hold that dovetail together! That's likely what I'd have thought if I'd ran across one.

ROFL, I bet that's been thought more than once. I have been trying to find photos of others to compar the but and how it is discolored. Only found one other one and it has less discoloration but also had ZERO screws in the fitting.

This is definitely my favorite rifle for now.

[SMOKEY]

Guam, with the title I thought this was a sex story

[Guamsst]

Guam, with the title I thought this was a sex story

Almost the same thing my mom said when I posted it on facebook...LOL

[jangle]

Nice find! Most of these that I've seen over the years have all been Nagoya 28th series rifles. Yours looks to be probably a Kokura 26th series?

These were designed as an Artillery spotter as you mentioned, however they were mounted "on" the artillery piece to fire an inexpensive 6.5mm cartridge to "sight in" the big gun. You got a very good deal as these rifles do sell in the $1000-1250 range, depending on completeness, when they do come available.

Congrats on your find!

[Guamsst]

Thanks Jangle, I think mine is a 26th series but I have to check again. I had a great reference for these once and now that I own one I'll be danged if I haven't forgotten where I got the reference.