Arisaka Type 99 Value?

[damagefactor]

I have a WWII era Arisaka Type 99, it is a battlefield capture with the mum still intact. It has not been fired since it's capture.

Based on what I've found, it is a high quality, early war production.

It's condition is typical of a capture rifle, some minor dings and dents.

How much is this rifle worth? I've estimated maybe 400 bucks. I won't sell it, family heirloom - but I am curious.

 

[Blackfork]

In Texas

You can get an Arisaka for a little over 200.00, up to nearly 1000 for one of the nicer Type 44 carbines. I see some T99s offered for more, but you can get one for less with a very little bit of looking.

Check auctionarms and gunbroker. I'd think 400 is at the high end of the scale. Not unheard of, but you would have to find your buyer.

Ammo around for those guns. I shot a deer last year with a T44 and 6.5X50 Jap.

 

[JG2000]

I'd say $400 is a good starting point for a the 99 if its in the condition you describe and has the Mum intact. But thats in my area so take it for what its worth I guess. But you should get some ammo and take it out they are great shooting guns.

 

[damagefactor]

I'm tempted to fire the weapon, that is for sure. However with the mum intact I can't bring myself to fire such a piece of history. I mean, c'mon! A battlefield capture!

I may purchase one with the mum ground off, I would sleep better at night knowing I fired a worthless gun with no heirloom value.

 

[Jim K]

I see no reason (assuming the rifle is otherwise safe) not to fire that rifle, nor do I see any way you could harm it or detract from its value. What do you think the Japanese soldier was doing with it when he was rudely interrupted? Use good modern ammo (Norma makes the 7.7 Japanese), though, and avoid jackleg "reloads."

BTW, if the person who captured it is still around and you know him, a notarized letter attesting that it was captured and the circumstances will add to the historical value and the monetary value as well.

Jim

 

[damagefactor]

Unfortunately, the specifig origins of the rifle is information my grandfather took to the grave.

I'm a paranoid one about damaging heirloom firearms, don't know why.

 

[sandy4570]

I'm tempted to fire the weapon, that is for sure. However with the mum intact I can't bring myself to fire such a piece of history. I mean, c'mon! A battlefield capture!

I may purchase one with the mum ground off, I would sleep better at night knowing I fired a worthless gun with no heirloom value.

I don't think your heirloom will lost its value if you fire it ,I mean your grand pa had found the enemy , faced the enemy and defeat him and took the rifle as prized trophy home .This is good way to appreciate what you grand pa facing in the battle field.

I think $400 -$500 is not overpriced for the Type99 with mum intact. With the price of 7.7 x 58 mm right now I don't think you can worn this rifle out in any time soon .

 

[damagefactor]

My question would be, how durable are milsurps without chrome lined barrels? I haven't inspected the bore in a while, can't remember if it is chromed. Not here presently either, it is in a VERY safe place. Safe from all sorts of libs and other gun grabbers.

 

[Spiggy]

no worse, my best shooter doesn't have chrome on it, and I still drill the crap out of it like it's still in the IJA

Recently, an intact typical early-mid war Arisaka minus original features (Dust cover, Aircraft sights, Monopod where applicable) will run you approximately 200-250 depending on condition and matching

An intact last ditch may command more or less depending on condition

Aircraft sights(both, w/ detents) will bost another 30-80 depending on condition and detents.
Original Dust cover will give another 30-80 depending on condition
Monopod, will give another 30-80 depending on condition
An original signed patriotic flag will add another 30+
A basic Type-30 early (quillon&beak pommel, stainless w/ groove) with scabbard will add 50-120 depending on condition, plus 20-30 for frog
A late war intact wooden scabbard Type30 bayonet, variation I, J, or K will command 300 more to the overall value
Original muzzle cover will add 20-45 depending on variation and condition


Any documentation, leather gear, stripper clips, original ammo, personal effects, uniforms, familiar heritage, and human remains will add a significant value to your arisaka.

Prices are never solid due to opinion of the seller; some people don't know what they have, and some people think they have gold. Movies about japan also add value.

Ammo is not hard to find, there are value factory boxes available for $14 per box and it's not bad. If you reload, the data is the same as .303 british

Word of Warning: any religious relics, personal effects, and shrine flags must be treated with utmost respect; I know it sounds stupid, but stuff can be haunted. I had a friend with a very bad experience when he purchased a shrine flag and mounted it to his mantle; guy had serious nightmares and health problems until the flag was given away. (though to be fair, I havent had any problems with this flag or any of my relics)

I hope that helps

 

[Vaarok]

The Arisaka is the toughest milsurp infantry rifle action ever made. Tougher than a '98 Mauser. Supremely well designed rifle, and the chrome bore means cleanup from military ammunition with corrosive primers back in the day was a snap too. Two big gas-vent holes if the case somehow bursts, massive locking lugs plus the bolt handle, the cocking knob shroud keeps gas out of your face...

I'd say you should shoot it. Ammo's not that expensive and you won't hurt it a bit.

Value-wise, I paid $400 recently for a really nice Type 99 with mum, monopod, bayonet, and three boxes of ammo, so it's certainly not an unreasonable value range. They're a bit undervalued compared to German stuff, but prices have been climbing recently (Letters from Iwo Jima, anybody?).

 

[25ACP]

(Letters from Iwo Jima, anybody?).

My buddy just lent it to me two days ago (along with "Flags of Our Fathers", which he advised me to watch first, but I haven't had time yet). I have always been interested in the weapons of WWII, and the Type 99s are an affordable (well, not right now, but in the near future) piece of history that I can actually hope to own. I watch them on Gunbroker and I would say that if it is in good condition with intact mum and matching numbers, $400 would not be unreasonable to expect for it, especially if it has the aircraft sights, although you may have to wait awhile to get it. There are always a few for sale and as someone else pointed out, many people don't know what they have (father died and they are liquidating the estate), and sell cheap. I don't mean to hijack the thread or anything, but when I do pick one up, I would like to use it for deer hunting, but in it's stock form - no sporterizing. If anyone answering this thread has used one for this purpose, I am new to hunting and only a fair shot at best, am I dreaming? or do I have a reasonable chance at taking a deer at short (less than 100 yds - it's all woods here) range with an unmodified 99.

 

[TEDDY]

jap rifles

my word where have I been. I paid $30 at gun show for a mod 38 carbine and 35 for a mod 38 rifle. the 5 mod 99 I have were given to me to get rid of them. 2 have mums. you can buy covers for 15 ? in shot gun news.can you kill deer with 30/30 well the 7.7 is much more power and the 6.5 is very capable.graf has brass at $35 per 100.I reload for all my military guns with lead.I have a win 94 in 45 colt and hunt with that and dont feel under guned.what do you think the westerners used 38/40 44/40.

 

[Vaarok]

If I can make hits on-target at 250m with iron sights and my T99 when I can bear to use up the ammo, I'm sure if you do your part a T99 will work perfectly well at lesser ranges against a deer.

 

[deepfringe]

question

ok, i have recently inherited a type 99. i was wondering if there was anything to stop me from cleaning and restoring the rifle to a point where i can shoot it? it is an earlier model of the type 99 so the catastrophic failure problem is not an issue.