Restoring a type 99 Arisaka

[kilroy]

Hello all,
My grandfather has a type 99 Arisaka. It is complete with an unground unmarked "Mum". It has one problem-he sporterized it.

Grandpa told me he bought the rifle in the early 60s. He bought it from a man he work with. The rifle was still in cosmoline. He cut the stock down and pulled the handguards off. At one point he must have realized it was more trouble than it was worth and put the project on hold-thank goodness. He told me he shot it twice. He saved all the stock hardware. The rifle is complete excluding the stock. He even kept the dust cover and original sites (Complete with the flip up and out sites.) Does anyone know where I can find a stock that will match this rifle? How much collector value would the rifle have if I did restore it? What would the rifle have been worth if he hadn't altered it?

[deano41]

First thing you need to do is determine the manufacturer and series number (serial number does't help as they repeat themselves in each series). Did he save the stock and handguard? Saving all the hardware is good! I'll let the experts give you the bad news on value. Once you know the series and maker, you could put a WTB in one of the forums.
Good luck!

Dean (the other one)

Sporterizing. Turning a $600 original M1917 into a $200 sporter.

[Oxmix]

Does anyone know where I can find a stock that will match this rifle?

I still see stocks for sale on eBay.

Regards

Ox

[kilroy]

He did save everything. I am going up to visit in a week or two for a visit. I will see if he will let me take a few picts.

[doncb]

These guns are p;entiful and cheap to purchase. It would probaly be cheaper to buy another 99 if your sure thats what you want. You realize that ammo is difficult to get for these rifles ,most guys that do shoot them reload their own ammo.

[kilroy]

I just got off the phone with my grandfather. He confirmed what I remembered. The rifle has a rising sun on the left hand side of the stock. I am very new to Arisaka rifles. What does the rising sun on the stock mean? He did tell me once the word got out that I might restore it, everyone and their brother came out of the wood work to add something to the effort. He now has 7 Japanese rifles of various types. I knew he had one other, a carbine, but I had no idea he had expanded his 'collection' to the level he has. I had a relative find one at a garage sale a week ago for $15. He has some early war and some late war. His original is an early war. At the very least, it sounds like I have lots of parts to choose from. A few have had the mum ground off, but at least one, the carbine I remember, has an intact mum. It looks like I may have a new hobby.

Some more questions
How should I finish the stock to be original? My first thoughts were gunny wax, linseed oil or tung oil.

Thanks for the post Doncb. I wasn't thinking about restoring it to shoot it, but to make my grandpa happy. It always bothered him that he messed with the rifle. If he wants to shoot it in the future, it may be a possiblity. I do reload and do find dies at shows. Well, I GUESS I could reload for it, if I could ever find components again :)

[Calif-Steve]

I remember ordering a Type 38 for $9.99 mail order in 1963. No one thought twice about cutting them up.

[Bill Hollinger]

Back in the 70s I was buying the 99s for $10.00 to $15.00. Strapping them to the handle bars on my 10 speed and riding home. Try that today! Last year I bought two 99s for $100.00. One with matching numbers and one missing the bolt. They are still rather cheap.