Arisaka Type 38 7/8th scale, youth training rifle

[Candyman]

Saturday I stopped by a local pawp shop and saw this little trainer sitting off to the side. I asked if it was for sale and was told that the boss would have to price it and he would be in on Monday.
I stopped by the shop on my way home today and it was sitting on the shelf priced at $109.95. That seemed like a good price, but I had to try and get a little off.
I asked if they could work on the price and was told I could have it for $100 out the door. I told them if they would throw in a 30 cal military ammo can they had a deal. They said ok.
Now she aint pretty and it has an issue or two but I still think I got a good deal.

It looks like it was used as a kids toy. All the metal parts have been painted, most likley by someones Grandpaw that brought it home from the war.




It still has the cleaning rod.


The front band spring and swivel are missing.












I think these are the school markings.

[Candyman]

These rifles were made by the Nambu company, starting in 1927 and running into the early 1930s. Lt. Gen. Kijiro Nambu (the same man who developed the Nambu pistols and machine guns) started the company to make training rifles after his retirement from military service.
This rifle is chambered for 6.5 Jap. Most think that they were made to fire blanks, but Japanese blank cartridges for the 6.5mm were fitted with normal-size wooden bullets. The trainers actually used gallery rounds with very small and light projectiles. Here’s a photo of the different types of 6.5mm Japanese ammunition: Yhe rifle would have fired the two on the right.

[Jered]

Interesting.

[D5CAV]

Would it chamber 6.5x50 Arisaka ammo?

If it's designed for firing a "gallery round" that would seem unsafe, but Gen. Nambu was famous for designing unsafe firearms.

[Candyman]

Nope, a 6.5 cartrdge will not chamber in the rifle.

Here is the problem with the bolt.


The tip of the firing pin is broken.


And the piece that catches the stud on the cocking piece broken off.




I will try and bring it to my friends shop to see if he can repair it or make me a new one.