- Location
- saskatchewan
What model is this Arisaka ?
- Thread starter sasktraveler
- Start date
During the Second Sino-Japanese War in the 1930s, the Japanese soon found that the 7.7mm cartridge being fired by their Type 92 heavy machine gun in China was superior to the 6.5×50mm cartridge of the Type 38 rifle, necessitating the development of a new weapon to replace the outclassed Type 38.[2][3] The Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) developed the Type 99 based on the Type 38 rifle but with a caliber of 7.7mm. The Type 99 was produced at nine different arsenals. Seven arsenals were located in Japan, with the other two located at Mukden in China and Jinsen in Korea.
The IJA had intended to completely replace the Type 38 with the Type 99 by the end of the war. However, the outbreak of the Pacific war never allowed the army to completely replace the Type 38 and so the IJA used both rifles during the war. As the war progressed, more and more cost saving steps were introduced in order to speed up production. Late war rifles are often called "Last Ditch" or "Substitute Standard" due to their crudeness of finish. They are generally as crude as the 1945 dated Mauser K98k of Germany, or worse.
The Type 99 was produced in four versions, the regular issue Type 99 Short Rifle, the Type 99 Long Rifle (a limited production variant) and takedown Type 2 Paratroop Rifle and the Sniper Rifle Type 99. The standard rifle also came with a wire monopod and an anti-aircraft sighting device. The Type 99 was the first mass-produced infantry rifle to have a chrome lined bore to ease cleaning. All of these features were abandoned by mid-war.
The IJA had intended to completely replace the Type 38 with the Type 99 by the end of the war. However, the outbreak of the Pacific war never allowed the army to completely replace the Type 38 and so the IJA used both rifles during the war. As the war progressed, more and more cost saving steps were introduced in order to speed up production. Late war rifles are often called "Last Ditch" or "Substitute Standard" due to their crudeness of finish. They are generally as crude as the 1945 dated Mauser K98k of Germany, or worse.
The Type 99 was produced in four versions, the regular issue Type 99 Short Rifle, the Type 99 Long Rifle (a limited production variant) and takedown Type 2 Paratroop Rifle and the Sniper Rifle Type 99. The standard rifle also came with a wire monopod and an anti-aircraft sighting device. The Type 99 was the first mass-produced infantry rifle to have a chrome lined bore to ease cleaning. All of these features were abandoned by mid-war.
MauserMike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
Since I saw a type 96 LMG in person, I've been interested in acquiring some Japanese milsurps.
Between my karate studies and the fact that Japan is probably the ONLY country in the world that would think it necessary to have a bayonet mount on a machine gun LOL
Between my karate studies and the fact that Japan is probably the ONLY country in the world that would think it necessary to have a bayonet mount on a machine gun LOL
- Location
- saskatchewan
thanks for the info guys. Any opinions on value?
It's from the Kokura arsenal, but I'm not sure about the series number. Looks to be a a bit earlier production, as it still has the "Type 99" stamp, plum shaped bolt handle, knurled safety knob (I think, hard to tell from the pic), and a steel buttplate.
Funny how the machining quality on the Type 99 rifle the OP shows looks way poorer quality than this later made Type 99 Substitute, which should be the reverse situation! -
I suspect your rifle has been refinished post war by someone, as I have a Series 35 Toyo Kogyo type 99 Transitional that has rough machining and wood very similar to the OP's....
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Also, as to value, I paid $100 for mine 3 years ago at a gunshow, the guy just wanted to get rid of it. Even though mine has a scrubbed Mum, I think I stole it, the Type 99 is not a readily available rifle in Canada. With the OP's Mum intact, likely the rifle is a vet bring back, I think around $500 would be a fair price maybe more, IMHO.
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Funny how the machining quality on the Type 99 rifle the OP shows looks way poorer quality than this later made Type 99 Substitute, which should be the reverse situation! -
I suspect your rifle has been refinished post war by someone, as I have a Series 35 Toyo Kogyo type 99 Transitional that has rough machining and wood very similar to the OP's....
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Also, as to value, I paid $100 for mine 3 years ago at a gunshow, the guy just wanted to get rid of it. Even though mine has a scrubbed Mum, I think I stole it, the Type 99 is not a readily available rifle in Canada. With the OP's Mum intact, likely the rifle is a vet bring back, I think around $500 would be a fair price maybe more, IMHO.
How do you suppose they who you think may have refinished and removed the poor machining marks to a smooth finish with sharp edges on the barrel and receiver do so while still keeping the receiver cover rails, Chrysanthemum and makers stamps and serial numbers clear, pronounced and with raised edges?
From all the Jap rifles I have seen, none had very deeply stamped serial numbers or maker stamps and any attempt to later smooth refinish the machining would no doubt remove those same stamps!
I just think that it is more likely some arsenals and workers had better standards of finish then others at times! I also doubt some would re-stamp this rifle's markings after refinishing it! after all it is not a $1000 plus rifle is it?
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my 2cents... no, not a $1000 rifle (unless someone REALLY wants it) but agree to $500-600 range.. unfortunately on my 99, the mum is scrubbed too. And my stock seems to have had a pretty hard life. All i need now is a cleaning rod and sling, probably have to get repro for both. Question for the OP, is the cleaning rod really short? like 4-5"? just curious if that is the proper length.
