Arisaka 99
- Thread starter wjburtt
- Start date
Not to hijack the thread, but, with so many knowledgeable fellas on here, I was wondering what numbers matching on these rifles would consisit of. The bolt, receiver, bayonet lug?, dust shield?, mono-pod?, stock?. Would all these items be numbered? Thanks for any input!
I would suggest Fred Honeycutt's book. "numbers matching" changes on date of manufacture and by factory.
Thanks guys, but there are truly nice pieces that have been posted, I believe every bit as nice or nicer than mine. I have owned this for a couple years or so, and at that time I paid over 1k for the set. I know it will be some time before I would see that money again. But that is not why I bought this. Just like most everyone here, I am passionate about history, and the opportunity for me to have a decent example in my posession, in my short lifetime, has no monetary value. It gives me such enjoyment to have it in my hands. My wife is very understanding, knowing I don't drink, gamble or smoke, and that this is my hobby. Family first, but after that every guy needs something else to keep the blood flowing. Been called a fool for "overpaying" in the past, but who has the rifle now lol? So I think if youc an import a nice piece for a few hundred dollar fee, just do it.
You guys who work hard, provide for your family, and have a little left over at the end of the day, know what I am trying to say.
You guys who work hard, provide for your family, and have a little left over at the end of the day, know what I am trying to say.
Joe, I don't think $1000 is too much for that rifle at all. I bought it's twin recently for $800 in the states BEFORE any shipping or import fees and I would do it again in a heartbeat
People who think these are a less expensive option than K98k collecting are deluding themselves. Proper mummed matching examples with the right features are comparably expensive (unfortunately for me!).
People who think these are a less expensive option than K98k collecting are deluding themselves. Proper mummed matching examples with the right features are comparably expensive (unfortunately for me!).
Nice 33rd series Toyo Kogyo! For $100 you did incredibly well. Based on the serial number, I would assume it has a chromed bore, but not a chromed bolt face - correct? Your serial number COULD indicate a non-chromed bore though - I think it's in the transitional range.
I posted it's twin at MSC in 2006, a 33rd series T-K, No. 8457, it had a chromed bore but is an earlier rifle. You can see it in the MKL - it cost me a good deal more than $100 though.
I posted it's twin at MSC in 2006, a 33rd series T-K, No. 8457, it had a chromed bore but is an earlier rifle. You can see it in the MKL - it cost me a good deal more than $100 though.
Hate to bust in here, guys, being that my only JAPANESE Arisaka is a Type 38 which leaked motor oil all over my floor for 10 days after I got it.
Can anyone suggest a CHART for figuring out dates, ages, manufacturers and so forth for the Type 38? I know the information is ON the rifles, but I don't read Japanese.
Thanks much.
Some really beautiful rifles here! So much for the tales of Japanese "poor equipment".
Only thing I can see wrong with them is the disparity between RIFLE length and RIFLEMAN height, Japanese troops being on average shorter than our men.
BTW, Type 38 used a form of METFORD rifling with only 4 very wide grooves, lands close to equal width. It is segmental and rounded, looks shot-out when it actually is in good shape. From the front, the rifles look as if they had a rounded square bore, but they can certainly shoot well. The only proof of the pudding is trying the critter on the range, much as you would do ith a Lee-Metford. I don't know if this is the rifling type used in the 99 or not.
Can anyone suggest a CHART for figuring out dates, ages, manufacturers and so forth for the Type 38? I know the information is ON the rifles, but I don't read Japanese.
Thanks much.
Some really beautiful rifles here! So much for the tales of Japanese "poor equipment".
Only thing I can see wrong with them is the disparity between RIFLE length and RIFLEMAN height, Japanese troops being on average shorter than our men.
BTW, Type 38 used a form of METFORD rifling with only 4 very wide grooves, lands close to equal width. It is segmental and rounded, looks shot-out when it actually is in good shape. From the front, the rifles look as if they had a rounded square bore, but they can certainly shoot well. The only proof of the pudding is trying the critter on the range, much as you would do ith a Lee-Metford. I don't know if this is the rifling type used in the 99 or not.
Hi Smellie,
Yes, the rifling in the type 99 is metford as well.
The tables are published in three books, the cheapest of which is Duncan McCollum's "Japanese rifles of World War II", on Amazon.ca for $12.95, ISBN-13: 978-1880677117. I don't know of any online open-source chart for decoding the rifles and the books are copyrighted so I can't post the pages
Yes, the rifling in the type 99 is metford as well.
The tables are published in three books, the cheapest of which is Duncan McCollum's "Japanese rifles of World War II", on Amazon.ca for $12.95, ISBN-13: 978-1880677117. I don't know of any online open-source chart for decoding the rifles and the books are copyrighted so I can't post the pages
So I finally got pictures taken and uploaded.
This is my first Arisaka and the last addition for my WW2 rifle collection. Initally all I wanted was a matching representation of the Japanese Empire. All my WW2 rifles are very good to excellant condition with all matching numbers so this fit right in.
Since I started collecting info on this one though, I see there are way more variations and options to collect than any other rifle type I have. One could get addicted!!
This is my first Arisaka and the last addition for my WW2 rifle collection. Initally all I wanted was a matching representation of the Japanese Empire. All my WW2 rifles are very good to excellant condition with all matching numbers so this fit right in.
Since I started collecting info on this one though, I see there are way more variations and options to collect than any other rifle type I have. One could get addicted!!
At least the mum isn't too badly defaced. I think the sling is a repro and in my opinion the stock has been refinished (though nicely done with minimal sanding). Overall a nice example.
The original stock finish on early Type 99's (and most late ones too) was a varnish made from tea tree resin called "Urushi" and it has a deep blood-red tint to it. Honey-colored stocks are generally either very worn or refinished.
For anyone thinking of working on a Urushi stock, consider yourself warned: Urushi in dust format solicits a poison-ivy-like reaction on most people's skin. It's best left alone.
The original stock finish on early Type 99's (and most late ones too) was a varnish made from tea tree resin called "Urushi" and it has a deep blood-red tint to it. Honey-colored stocks are generally either very worn or refinished.
For anyone thinking of working on a Urushi stock, consider yourself warned: Urushi in dust format solicits a poison-ivy-like reaction on most people's skin. It's best left alone.
I assumed the sling was a repro, it's in far better condition that any other period sling I have so I just put in a box rather than on display. I don't think the stock was sanded but it was lightly stripped and oiled. I believe everything else is original. Should I get a repro dust cover do you think?
If I were you, I'd shells out a few more dollrs and get an original dust cover. The numbers will not be matching, but the rifle is nice enough that I wouldn't hang repro junk on it. Real ones come up on e-pay all the time. Same-same for gunbroker.
Agreed with regards to the Canadian value. A few things hurt the rifle (scratched mum, altered stock etc..), but has quite a few things going for it. Overall a very nice rifle that Im sure many here (myself included) would be very happy to own!
Thanks, Claven, it was another case of a guy not knowing what he had. He ended up selling it to me because he "didn't want to take it home." It does have the chromed bore, but the bolt face is not. I don't think this rifle was ever fired due to the entire bolt assembly retaining all of its bluing. It has since gotten a little of it worn off from me working the bolt; I am wondering if it was taken straight from the factory as a souvenier?
Either way, avery nice example of a "transitional" T99!
