Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: JOACH1M on January 24, 2015, 08:50:02 PM
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Michigan area, friend's grandfather has a Japanese rifle he took home as a war item from Okinawa. Would like to restore gun...
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Arisaka? 6.5 or 7.7mm? Just so he knows there is no real market for restored Jap guns. The only ones of worth are originals, mostly early war, and in good shape. The only reason I can see for restoring is personal enjoyment. Its not going to increase the value of the rifle.
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Rich why is that? I'm just curious, I'd have thought the other way around; were there so many made or something else...?
Joachim: I know of someone in New Hampshire; not sure he'd want the project but might be able to recommend; maybe.
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If it truly is an unmolested bringback rifle, then it does not need restored. Just keep the rust off. Do not clean it or try to repair any damages or refinish the wood.
It is worth way more in original condition than modified.
Now, if the rifle has already been chopped or sporterized, than feel free to clean it up and try to "restore" it as much as you can to original military condition.
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What Nef said.
Restored wood devaluates the rifle.
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What Nef said.
Restored wood devaluates the rifle.
+2. Restoration of guns will only ever hurt the value IMHO. Stop any rust or degradation and just maintain it as it is.
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If it truly is an unmolested bringback rifle, then it does not need restored. Just keep the rust off. Do not clean it or try to repair any damages or refinish the wood.
It is worth way more in original condition than modified.
Now, if the rifle has already been chopped or sporterized, than feel free to clean it up and try to "restore" it as much as you can to original military condition.
It has never been fired since he has brought it back, he had coated it in a petroleum jelly type stuff to keep it from aging. Gun looks extremely good, he just would like to have in shooting condition. Arisaka? 6.5 or 7.7mm? Just so he knows there is no real market for restored Jap guns. The only ones of worth are originals, mostly early war, and in good shape. The only reason I can see for restoring is personal enjoyment. Its not going to increase the value of the rifle.
Hes not looking to sell it, just to honor his grandfathers service. He would like to have it cleaned before he passes. It is an arisaka, don't know whether its a 6.5 or 7.7.
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It has never been fired since he has brought it back, he had coated it in a petroleum jelly type stuff to keep it from aging. Gun looks extremely good, he just would like to have in shooting condition. Hes not looking to sell it, just to honor his grandfathers service. He would like to have it cleaned before he passes. It is an arisaka, don't know whether its a 6.5 or 7.7.
Then clean the jelly off with something that won't hurt the wood finish or metal and shoot it.
You won't break it shooting it, just remember that scratches and dings come from use. I'm sure you could google and find out whether its 6.5 or 7.7 or after you clean it up, if you're still unsure take it to a smith and have him confirm.
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Then clean the jelly off with something that won't hurt the wood finish or metal and shoot it.
You won't break it shooting it, just remember that scratches and dings come from use. I'm sure you could google and find out whether its 6.5 or 7.7 or after you clean it up, if you're still unsure take it to a smith and have him confirm.
Thanks, I was hoping a thorough cleaning would be what was needed, but really wanted to make sure though. Ill check the gun out and do some google searches!
I asked his grandfather how he got the gun a long time ago and he said, "Well, lets just say i did not think he would be needing it anymore" Really made me think about what these men went through. :salute
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If it truly is an unmolested bringback rifle, then it does not need restored. Just keep the rust off. Do not clean it or try to repair any damages or refinish the wood.
It is worth way more in original condition than modified.
Now, if the rifle has already been chopped or sporterized, than feel free to clean it up and try to "restore" it as much as you can to original military condition.
This x100.
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Also bud.
in terms of having another set of eyes to look at it for you:
Top three in the area?
1. D&D Gunsmiths on Elmwood in Troy. Ask for Tim.
2. Flint & Frizzen in Clarkston. Bruce the owner is a cool cat.
3. Wessel Gun Shop in Warren.
Those three are probably the best around us. I'd go with Bruce, then Tim in order.
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Here are specific instructions for removing the "jelly" ;)
http://www.tngun.com/removing-cosmoline/
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I had Flint and Frizzen work on one of my 1911's years ago and they did a good job.
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Thanks mash! I will be in contact with them! :aok
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Rich why is that? I'm just curious, I'd have thought the other way around; were there so many made or something else...?
Joachim: I know of someone in New Hampshire; not sure he'd want the project but might be able to recommend; maybe.
You, or he, doesnt have just a "rifle". Its a piece of History. Imagine someone restoring the original Mona Lisa. Is this rifle a piece of art? You bet it is. It will be worth more if its an early rifle by a better maker. I cant remember all the makers of the Arisak's but I know some were better then others. Its worth will be even more if it has original accessory's like a bayonet and cleaning kit....ect Think of any WW2 gun or item as a valued pieces as long as its in original condition and only needs a cleaning.
I had an original early war 7.7mm with bayonet and other items and I traded it and a few other things for a new Ruger. I could kick myself in the Butt for that memory. I also had a sporterized 6.5mm that was a fun plinker but thats long gone to. A few Mausers I'd kill to still have.
I'd be willing to bet an original early/mid war 7.7mm type 99 with original bayonet is somewhere in the low 4 figures worth wise nowadays. Between one to two G. The early ones by very good makers are highly desirable.
A co-worker showed me pictures of Soviet memorabilia that his grand pa left him that Pops had bought from German soldiers after the war, that the German soldiers had grabbed on their march thru the Soviet Union. I could have screamed at some of this stuff. Flags, medals, soldiers kit, uniforms, knives, bayonets, original propaganda pieces, all kinds of treasured stuff thats hard to get. I could only tell him to get an expert on it to sell on consignment cause he's easily into 5 figures. Maybe 6. I could have robbed him but would never have been able to live with myself after.
I wish I had the cash for a major WW2 collection to finish up life with. Were I your friend I wouldnt sell the type 99.
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Thanks mash! I will be in contact with them! :aok
Anytime and we should meet up with Shamus. Shamus, your number still the same?
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I believe it would be worth a ton(collector's value) if the mum isn't ground off as well. They are difficult to find. The Japanese ground off all the mum's on their rifles because they considered it a disgrace to the emperor for losing the war.
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You, or he, doesnt have just a "rifle". Its a piece of History. Imagine someone restoring the original Mona Lisa. Is this rifle a piece of art? You bet it is. It will be worth more if its an early rifle by a better maker. I cant remember all the makers of the Arisak's but I know some were better then others. Its worth will be even more if it has original accessory's like a bayonet and cleaning kit....ect Think of any WW2 gun or item as a valued pieces as long as its in original condition and only needs a cleaning.
I mean why is that Japanese (or JapWW2 rifles in particular) rifle not worth very much to begin with? Are they not rare?
I've known for a long time about restoring historical pieces being a no-no...Learned that lesson the hard way, probably same as everyone else.
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Anytime and we should meet up with Shamus. Shamus, your number still the same?
Sounds good to me! :aok
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Yup it is Karaya
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Yup it is Karaya
I'll hit both Joac and you up this week. We'll throw something together here after the Super Bowl.
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I mean why is that Japanese (or JapWW2 rifles in particular) rifle not worth very much to begin with? Are they not rare?
I've known for a long time about restoring historical pieces being a no-no...Learned that lesson the hard way, probably same as everyone else.
No they are not that rare. Nor are they all that good a rifle, "strong as Hell tho, the early ones". Boy I remember in the '80s they were practically giving very fine ones away. :cry But they are an interesting piece of history and their value will only go up if left original. No WW2 collection is complete without one or two. There were productions runs made for other countries and/or slightly modified types. Im not really up on Arisaka's but I imagine they would be more valuable.
I used yo hunt out of a small town in the high plains of eastern Montana. I met a guy who'd been on General MacAthur's security detail and after the war delivered mail for the Govt. Every spare cent he had he bought arms from returning GI's and became a huge general collector as well. He had a military collection that would put any museum to shame, including many Arisaka's all with the MUM or Imperial Chrysanthemums. I guess being on his detail had its advantages, that or maybe he got examples from production runs to other countries which left the Chrysanthemums on them.