A free Japanese rifle...

[GIZMO8Z]

Did a great job so far. Hope you find the butt plate.

Thanks! The same gentleman who gave me the recoil lug and front trigger guard screw also offered to cut up an authentic Arisaka junk sporterized stock that he has. I could have the woodworker cut that piece of authentic stock to size to repair the buttplate...

I am hoping I can reuse the authentic nails... I am scared that the nails drew moisture up into the stock.

In exciting news, the woodworker called me back! He said: "It's funny that you want me to fix a Japanese rifle stock... If I remember correctly, there's a Japanese sword in my barn. Sharp, too! You could shave with it! If I find it, you can have it."

[MarkV]

How did I miss this???! Great find, Joe!! You always seem to find these things!!!

[GIZMO8Z]

Thanks, Mark!

I'm a talker... I take the time to get to know people and inevitably our hobbies and interests come up. They often mention that they have a neglected piece of militaria and I kindly and politely ask them about it. Sometimes they say that the item has sentimental value to them and I'll apologize for imposing. More often than not, they're happy to give the item away to someone who will appreciate it!

Just goes to show you that it doesn't hurt to ask!!

[Moshemotom]

First a great last ditch rifle, now a long forgotten sword, the plot thickens! You're certainly one lucky guy Joe!

Cracking job on the rifle by the way, you really brought some life back to it.

Can't wait to see how this sword turns out
Cheers
Tom

[GIZMO8Z]

Thanks, Tom!

Clyde (the woodworker) said he doesn't know exactly where it is, but he will look. Unfortunately he mentioned that the leather (ray skin?) on the scabbard was in rough shape. We shall see!

[GIZMO8Z]

The restoration rolls on!

I've purchased a replacement front trigger guard screw and spare rear trigger guard and tang screw. The threads look much better on this front guard screw, so I'm optimistic.


I've also found a replacement authentic wooden buttplate! What do you guys think of the grooves carved into it? Did the Japanese soldier put them there for grip, or was he keeping score?

[GIZMO8Z]

The new trigger guard screw did the trick!

Before:


After:

[Walkwolf]

Joe, It's amazing that you have found the exact pieces
you need so fast.........!

[GIZMO8Z]

I gave the bore another round of cleaning. Looks even better!

[GIZMO8Z]

Joe, It's amazing that you have found the exact pieces
you need so fast.........!

I know! Great, right?!

The gentleman across the Hudson River from me reallllllly helped me out big time! He is a huge Japanese rifle collector and has an amazing collection. He has more spare parts than I could believe! He even offered to cut apart a stock to give me authentic 70yr old wood to craft my own buttplate if an authentic one couldn't be found!

Here is a peek at his Arisaka collection:


Beyond that, I got the screws from an ebay vendor also in New York.