Dundee Tom
Member
And it IS BRAND NEW! I bought this rifle today at a local gunshop, although it seemed grimy and the barrel (in a cursory inspection) appeared dirty and even pitted. Brought it home, disassembled it, and was amazed to find it was still packed in factory-new Cosmoline -- a grease protectant universally used to preserve military firearms prior to issue.
This rifle is an Arisaka Type 99 in 7.7x58mm. It has a chrome-lined barrel, monopod, and anti-aircraft sights. I also got an old bayonet with it. The rifle was manufactured at the Toyo Kogyo Armory on Japan's southernmost island of Kyushu. The stock has a Kanji hieroglyph indicating "Hiroshima."
This rifle, except for the rough-handling marks on the stock, is practically mint and will be a marvelous shooter as well as collection piece. I'm attaching photos of it disassembled as well as assembled.
Considering that it was manufactured about 1940 or '41 and is nearly 70 years old, it's inner mechanisms are immaculate. The firing pin is unmarred, as is the bolt face. The bolt handle shows no handling marks of any kind.
The Imperial Crest on the receiver has been ground off, which is typical of "surrender" arms. Because of its pristine condition, I'm speculating that it was kept in a warehouse after manufacture and for some reason never issued. (Maybe a LIFO stock system instead of FIFO [last in first out/first in first out].) As the arms were turned over to the United States, Gen. MacArthur and the Japanese Imperial Army were in agreement that the Imperial Crest would be obliterated to preserve the Emperor's dignity. (All arms bearing the Imperial Crest were considered to be his personal property, and no Japanese soldier would ever dishonor his weapon, since the Emperor was considered divine.)
So, some American soldier ground out the emblem at a Japanese warehouse, tossed the rifle onto a pile of others, and it was thus bundled and bears the nicks and bruises of rough handling. But, inside, it's still new. The bore is bright and shiny and I'm planning on digging up some ammo for a day at the range with it.
Before you warn me about Japanese wartime rifles, bear in mind that this is NOT a "last-ditch" Arisaka, but a very early production model. In post-war tests, the Type 99 Arisaka was determined to have the strongest action of any World War Two battle rifle, including the Springfield 1903, Garand, or even the German Mauser. It withstood high pressure overloads far beyond the others. I think I'll be fine.
As for the Cosmoline that it was packed with, certainly no Japanese surrender weapon would have received such loving care from the Americans. Since I have lived in Japan, I am pleased and proud to have this seemingly "brand-new" relic of a terrible event in our common history.
This rifle is an Arisaka Type 99 in 7.7x58mm. It has a chrome-lined barrel, monopod, and anti-aircraft sights. I also got an old bayonet with it. The rifle was manufactured at the Toyo Kogyo Armory on Japan's southernmost island of Kyushu. The stock has a Kanji hieroglyph indicating "Hiroshima."
This rifle, except for the rough-handling marks on the stock, is practically mint and will be a marvelous shooter as well as collection piece. I'm attaching photos of it disassembled as well as assembled.
Considering that it was manufactured about 1940 or '41 and is nearly 70 years old, it's inner mechanisms are immaculate. The firing pin is unmarred, as is the bolt face. The bolt handle shows no handling marks of any kind.
The Imperial Crest on the receiver has been ground off, which is typical of "surrender" arms. Because of its pristine condition, I'm speculating that it was kept in a warehouse after manufacture and for some reason never issued. (Maybe a LIFO stock system instead of FIFO [last in first out/first in first out].) As the arms were turned over to the United States, Gen. MacArthur and the Japanese Imperial Army were in agreement that the Imperial Crest would be obliterated to preserve the Emperor's dignity. (All arms bearing the Imperial Crest were considered to be his personal property, and no Japanese soldier would ever dishonor his weapon, since the Emperor was considered divine.)
So, some American soldier ground out the emblem at a Japanese warehouse, tossed the rifle onto a pile of others, and it was thus bundled and bears the nicks and bruises of rough handling. But, inside, it's still new. The bore is bright and shiny and I'm planning on digging up some ammo for a day at the range with it.
Before you warn me about Japanese wartime rifles, bear in mind that this is NOT a "last-ditch" Arisaka, but a very early production model. In post-war tests, the Type 99 Arisaka was determined to have the strongest action of any World War Two battle rifle, including the Springfield 1903, Garand, or even the German Mauser. It withstood high pressure overloads far beyond the others. I think I'll be fine.
As for the Cosmoline that it was packed with, certainly no Japanese surrender weapon would have received such loving care from the Americans. Since I have lived in Japan, I am pleased and proud to have this seemingly "brand-new" relic of a terrible event in our common history.
Attachments
Last edited: