Japanese Type 99 Arisaka

[Jack16]

Found myself a nice early-war Japanese Type 99 Arisaka. It is a 1st series from the Nagoya Arsenal. Manufactured sometime between the last quarter of 1941 and the first quarter of 1942. Has all matching serial numbers(including dust cover) and all original parts(dust cover, monopod, anti-aircraft sights, etc.). The Mum is scrubbed, but you can still see parts of the outline.

   

   

   



Fun Fact:
For those that don't know.
The Chrysanthemum("Mum" for short) was the symbol of the Japanese Emperor(Emperor Hirohito in this case). It was stamped on all Japanese rifles to signify that they were the property of the Emperor. But then in 1945, when the Japanese surrendered, they ground off/defaced this symbol on most of these rifles. They considered it a disgrace to the Emperor for having lost the war and didn't want to turn over their weapons bearing this Imperial symbol.

[DaveBB]

Fantastic looking rifle.

The Japanese used the same rifle during the entire war.  For whatever reason, they never switched to a semi-automatic like the U.S. did.  At the end of the war, the Type 99 became very simplified.

[SFRT - Frenchy]

Can't u have the Mum re placarded? (I would not, it's part of its history).

[Nefarious]

Nice specimen.

[Ripsnort]

Agreed! Nice!
I've looked at a few of these on auctions, not serious about buying but curiosity for what they were going for.

[Nefarious]

Id like to have a real bring back or at least a non sporterized one.  They seem hard to find around here without butchered by bubba.

[Ripsnort]

This would be a perfect companion with the rifle. A Manchurin Incident Medal.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=525992916#PIC

On September 18, 1931, Lt. Suemori Kawamoto detonated a small quantity of dynamite[4] close to a railway line owned by Japan's South Manchuria Railway near Mukden (now Shenyang).[5] The explosion was so weak that it failed to destroy the track and a train passed over it minutes later, but the Imperial Japanese Army accused Chinese dissidents of the act and responded with a full invasion that led to the occupation of Manchuria, in which Japan established its puppet state of Manchukuo six months later. The ruse of war was soon exposed to the international community, leading Japan to diplomatic isolation and its March 1933 withdrawal from the League of Nations.[6]

The bombing act is known as the "Liutiaohu Incident" (simplified Chinese: 柳条湖事变; traditional Chinese: 柳條湖事變; pinyin: Liǔtiáohú Shìbiàn, Japanese: 柳条湖事件, Ryūjōko-jiken), and the entire episode of events is known in Japan as the "Manchurian Incident"

[Jack16]

The Japanese used the same rifle during the entire war.  For whatever reason, they never switched to a semi-automatic like the U.S. did.  At the end of the war, the Type 99 became very simplified.

The later war rifles were known as "last ditch rifles." They took short-cuts to boost production and lower costs.The quality of the parts weren't great. They got rid of the extras like the dust cover, monopod, and fancy anti-aircraft sight. The rear sight became a fixed peep sight. They ditched the metal buttplate and and replaced it with a wooden one held on by a couple of nails. Sling swivels became holes drilled through the stock and rope was used as a sling. The list goes on. And contrary to popular belief, there is nothing actually wrong with "last ditch" rifles and they did not blow up in your face.
 

Can't u have the Mum re placarded? (I would not, it's part of its history).

Nope. It's staying as is. It is a part of its history and adds an interesting story to it.

Agreed! Nice!
I've looked at a few of these on auctions, not serious about buying but curiosity for what they were going for.

As with all mil-surp firearms, it all depends on what kind of condition it's in and the extras. A standard one you find in the store or a gunshow could probably be found for around $200. This one however, has all matching serial numbers, the original dust cover, monopod, and anti-aircraft sights. That boosts the price a lot. These parts are very hard to find because they were often taken off and thrown away. Their use wasn't practical and often got in the way. Especially the dust cover because it's a loose fit and makes a loud "clinging" noise. Not something the Japanese wanted when they were sneaking up on US soldiers. Then, there is the intact mum. If you find a rifle with all matching and original parts with the mum intact, it could go for $800-900.

Id like to have a real bring back or at least a non sporterized one.  They seem hard to find around here without butchered by bubba.

I read that most of the Arisakas on the market today could technically be bring backs. I read that these rifles were actually stacked on the docks so the US soldiers could take them home as a souvenir.