Naval Trainer Rifle

[pdawg1911]

Here is an interesting Naval Trainer I picked up today. A couple of things that are intersting is the low # serial number ( 5) , and that so many parts are numbered to the receiver. I had heard these were rushed out, and they often skipped serializing the parts. Also found out that the cleaning rod is faux rod. It is only about 2 inches long. I thought I might have broken the cleaning rod so I look down the channel, and it was only about 1 1/2" deep.

Thanks
Pat

[Guamsst]

I have one, mine is almost relic condeition though with coat hanger holding a couple of pieces on. The Naval trainers are not easy to find. You seem to have found a great one.

[pdawg1911]

I have one, mine is almost relic condeition though with coat hanger holding a couple of pieces on. The Naval trainers are not easy to find. You seem to have found a great one.

Thanks, now I have to find someone who can translate it ! From what I have been reading, the one marking should be some sort of warning, and the other possibly the name of the instruction school.

[Guamsst]

White paint should be 384.... hard to tell as it looks like half the 8 is missing so could be a different charachter. Rectangle basically says "blank ammunition only". Circle is most likely the school or unit it belonged to, such as Sasebo base or some other naval base, or as simple as Band or Cavalry or whatever. I am going off rumor and guesses on the circle as I have never gotten one translated. I will try to get my buddy to translate it later.

Don't expect a strict translation. I have a type 38 that has been independently translated twice. Once by a Japanese man with a degree in ancient Japanese literature, the other by a retired Marine who was a Japanese linguist. Both translations of the stock cartouche were repeated as "Big Japanese Teeth" Head scratching and a look of confusion accompanied both translations.

[pdawg1911]

White paint should be 384.... hard to tell as it looks like half the 8 is missing so could be a different charachter. Rectangle basically says "blank ammunition only". Circle is most likely the school or unit it belonged to, such as Sasebo base or some other naval base, or as simple as Band or Cavalry or whatever. I am going off rumor and guesses on the circle as I have never gotten one translated. I will try to get my buddy to translate it later.

Don't expect a strict translation. I have a type 38 that has been independently translated twice. Once by a Japanese man with a degree in ancient Japanese literature, the other by a retired Marine who was a Japanese linguist. Both translations of the stock cartouche were repeated as "Big Japanese Teeth" Head scratching and a look of confusion accompanied both translations.

Thanks - I went over to the Banzai forum and think I found (except for the white lettering) and almost exact match for the stock markings. They have it translated there as:

"Jippo - No - Hassha - Wo - Kinzu" - Discharging of Live Cartridges Is Prohibited The large circled character reads "Kyo" - Education.

[John Sukey]

Considering that the reciever was made of pot metal, that was good advice
If memory serves, I believe the trainers had a one piece reciever tang while real rifles had a two piece one.

[Guamsst]

Considering that the reciever was made of pot metal, that was good advice
If memory serves, I believe the trainers had a one piece reciever tang while real rifles had a two piece one.

I think it depends on who made it as to how it was constructed. As to the receivers, I have one of the ones from "Nippon Special Steel" company. Apparently on this one, the steel is "special" because it is crap...LOL

Oh and good luck researching Japanese companies. Seems all of them went out of business between 1936-1945 and many had name changes around 1946....odd...LOL

Atleast Mitsubishi didn't change any really. Same emblem, same name.

[pdawg1911]

Considering that the reciever was made of pot metal, that was good advice
If memory serves, I believe the trainers had a one piece reciever tang while real rifles had a two piece one.

Mine is a one piece receiver tang.

Thanks,
Pat