My first Japanese; a T99 short rifle with a twist...

I'm new to Japanese rifles, as the bulk of my collection is German and American. I've started type collecting and I filled the Japanese slot in my collection Sunday night off Gunbroker. Here is a totally matching Toyo Kogyo Series 31 Type 99 short rifle. With a serial number of 81350, I assume it was made in late '42 to early '43 as monopods were deleted in mid-'43; correct me if I'm wrong. This rifle is in excellent condition with all the toys; full mum, AA sights, monopod, and cleaning rod. The sling and muzzle cover were not included in the auction; I've ordered a reproduction rubberized canvas sling for it.

The twist is that this one has been converted to 30-06; the question is by whom? From what I've read before buying it, I think this is not a US Military conversion in Tokyo, in that it is lacking the 'US Cal 30' stamping and the receiver is not notched. I've been told it's Korean; I've read the Thais converted a bunch. It could also be a stateside conversion from a bring back - no import marks. What say you?

These are the seller's pics. I'll post mine when it gets here with an eventual range report. I don't have to worry about ammo - just get it by the case from CMP!

Thanks for the look.

T

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...33d1df86-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...dcded2b9-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...024a1f71-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...46998e7f-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...c078e9f9-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...59fe4948-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...285c6314-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...9549e5cf-1.jpg

Majspud, Interesting. Could be an arsenal conversion as those done in the basement were usually crudely sporterized. I wonder if the dual point symbol right after "30-06" was stamped at the time of conversion and if so what does it signify? I have a similar 30-06 but the stock has been cut. I would be curious as to what kind of groups you achieve when you get to shooting it. I haven't shot mine yet (just a couple of test rounds remotely). It has good headspace and the cases swelled very little. I have no fear of firing it, just showing up at the range with it! Salt Flat

So...they just ran a .30 cal chamber ream in?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by browningautorifle

So...they just ran a .30 cal chamber ream in?

---

Yes, also the feed rails on the ones I've seen were opened up a little to accomodate the larger cartridges. --Majspud, Please look at your feed rails and see if they have been opened up. Also when aquiring any T99 check before firing to see if they were converted to 30-06. MANY were converted by Bubba but he often failed to stamp the new caliber on the barrel! Salt Flat

5mm ream to the chamber to accept the 7.62x63 versus the 7.7x58. Bullet is a little undersized at .308 versus .311, causing the accuracy drop off after 100 yards.

From Wikipedia:

"During the Korean War, approximately 126,500 short and 6,650 long Type 99 Rifles were re-chambered under American supervision at the Tokyo arsenal to fire the then-standard .30-06 Springfield cartridge. Apparently intended for the South Korean gendarme, few rifles appear to have been issued at the end of the war in 1953. These rifles were fitted with a lengthened magazine well and had a small notch cut in the top of the receiver to accommodate the .30-06 round's 1/3 inch greater length. Accuracy suffered, due to the difference in cartridges, rifling rate and characteristics, but they were nonetheless functional."

T

I don't see the notch? How about the magazine conversion?

I didn't see those either. Today I did snag an early/mid war 7.7 barrel in excellent shape if I decided down the road to put it back into original configuration.

T