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My last Ditch rifle..
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rifle
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From the top of my head I would say it is Series 31.
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last ditch
No its not a series 31. I pulled out my series chart and to me it looks like a series 25. Nice looking rifle.
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Series 31 is early production Toyo Kogyo with pod, rod, AA sights, DC, etc. This is a Kokura 25th. Without even looking at series mark, the characteristic chatter on the wrist is a key indicator. Late TJK Series 27 guns had this as well.
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A few years ago I was given two last ditch Arisakas; Wooden butt plates, loose bolts, rough stocks, the whole bit. Surprisingly, they included dust covers and monopods. Back then, Arisakas were a dime a dozen, and last ditch "clunkers" seemingly had no value. I gave them away. One more thing to add to my "What was I thinking!" list. (that list includes walking away from a 1941 Johnson for $1500!)
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last ditch
Last ditch type 99's did not have monopods or dust covers. Those were eliminated early 5th series.
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It's been some time, but IIRC, the two rifles were not type 99s. 6.5s with smaller bolt handles (shaped like a cylinder rather than the large oval of the 99). Stock did not have the "chirping of the rifle shown here, but was very ill-fitting at the wrist/grip. The wooden butt plates were held on by two screws. Metal work rough.
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last ditch 99
6.5 cal were the type 38 rifles or carbines. These all had metal buttplates with the large plum shaped bolt handles. Most of the last ditch type 99's have the smaller barrell shaped bolt handle although some still had the larger plum shaped bolt handles . The wooden buttplates were held on with 3 nails not screws. It can still be possible that someone could have changed out the rear band with a monopod band and monopod attatched not really knowing that last ditch 99's didn't have them just because they thought that all type 99's should have had them. Hope this helps.
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There were no "last ditch" 6.5mm Type 38's. The type 38 was out of production and any that were hauled out of storage for the final resistance would have been as they had been when stored. The only "last ditch" rifles were Type 99s and some rifles made for the 8mm pistol cartridge that were experimented with for issue to civilians, but in fact were never made in any quantity and never issued.
Jim
