Type 99?

[Mako275]

Really out of my element here. My father in law has this Arisaka Type 99? His father had it before he was born. He was a veteran of the Pacific theater in WWII. The usual story being that he brought this back with him. I know very little about these and my father in law was just wanting some more information on it. He's not really a firearm enthusiast but he appreciates the history.

Anything you all could give me would be appreciated. Not really concerned about value. I don't think he will let this out of the family while he's alive.

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Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

It's taken a couple of whacks but looks good. The action cover is missing and the anti aircraft lead arms from the rear sight but you have a Mum intact which is important. It could use a bit of TLC but these guys will hand carry you though that. Nice piece.

[Aragorn243]

The mum isn't intact, its been struck. A struck mum is better than a ground mum but still means the rifle was surrendered and not a battlefield pickup. Might not need the dust cover or aircraft wings if it's a late series, I never have good luck telling which series it is even when it can be clearly seen like this one.

[browningautorifle]

The mum isn't intact, its been struck.

I didn't see that at first, you're right. As for the other things, I figure it has the fittings, so it must have had them...?

[burb1989]

I think I can get a grasp of what you have. From my research files it appears you have a series 6 type 99 made at the Nagoya arsenal sometime mid war (around late 43- early 44 ?). As far as the aa wings go it could have them but yours is probably correct for when it was made and used. As the rifle is a series 6 from the research I have done I don't think it should've had the dust cover since they were being phased out around that time. Series 6 Nagoyas fall into what most collectors call the "transitional rifles" category. These were made at a time where the Japanese were mixing and matching features, so to speak, from rifle to rifle and many different variants within the same production could occur. For instance two rifles in the same series could have two different rear sight assemblies yet they were made one right after the other. Also does your rifle have matching numbers? The numbers should match the last three digits of the serial number and should be located on the bolt handle, the bayonet lug, the safety, and the firing pin. Even though it didn't come off of a battlefield you have a great heirloom and should be proud to own it.

[Aragorn243]

I didn't see that at first, you're right. As for the other things, I figure it has the fittings, so it must have had them...?

The rifles had the grooves for the dust cover nearly to the end even though they didn't install them. The things like the sights were used until they ran out. So the actual wings might not be present even though the rest of the sight is there.

[browningautorifle]

What Burb says makes sense too, they eventually ran out of small things so some later rifles had parts earlier ones didn't. Another factory had more and used them up. They were busy after all.

[AZPhil]

Good info given. I'll just add if you want to take it out a put a couple of rounds down the pipe, look for
7.7×58mm Arisaka. They are a blast to shoot(Pun intended)

Semper Fi
Phil

[Bill Hollinger]

My bet is it's a surrendered rifle rather than a captured one. Nonetheless, a very nice example of a late war transition type 99.