The buttplate is also cast iron. Apart from the bolt assembly and the barrel with its extension, essentially all parts are cast iron, including the sights. The barrel assembly is threaded into the casting, and pinned. The machining on the bolt is rough, pronounced weld on the rear of the safety. The metal parts are painted black. In the barrel channel are pencilled characters for "Nakamura" who I assume was the assembler. Stock is slab sided, rounded where necessary.
Basically the rifle is patterned after a late Type 99 short rifle, but with almost all machined parts replaced by castings. The time was taken to chrome the bore, though. The barrel is not a salvaged Type 99 barrel, the machining is different at the breech.
It is interesting to compare these rifles with the German VG rifles produced during the latter stages of the War. Different technological approach.
Thanks to Talquin for posting these photos.
