Near mint Toyo Kogyo T99 with a twist

I finally got a T99 (early '43) to fill the type in my collection, as I am mostly into German and American arms. Serial number 81350 is matched all parts. This rifle has been converted from its original 7.7x58 caliber to the U.S. .30-06 (7.62x63) by reaming the chamber another 5mm. This was done post war commercially in the U.S. (cost $5 in the 1950's). This allowed single shot plinking or hunting with easily obtainable .30-06. Full ‘mum,’ monopod, and anti-aircraft sights. Barrel is excellent and finish is about 95%. Reproduction rubberized canvas sling, not import marked. I have another identical Jap barrel in 7.7, but have not decided if I want to put it back into 7.7 as the stateside conversion was part of this rifle's history.

Sights are dead on with 20 rounds of 70's HXP. I was using the monopod and was allowing the rifle to jump up at the end causing the high hits.

T

Just an opinion mind you but I'd swap out the barrel. It is true that the conversion is part of it's "history" but it isn't a military history, it's a commercial (bubba) history even if done professionally. If you plan to shoot it a lot or hunt with it etc, then leave it alone, you'll always have the other barrel just in case.

It's a nice clean Arisaka, I'd change the barrel and not look back.

I agree, it's a real nice rifle, rebarrel it. You're lucky the back of the receiver wasn't cut out for the longer 30-06 cartridge like the Korea war ones were. Ray

Majspud, I agree on changing out the barrel BUT--make sure the feeding rails have not been opened up for the fatter 30-06 case. I have a couple of receivers in my junk box that were opened up like this and they are no longer suitable for 7.7. The red stock on your rifle is fantastic! I'm drooling! I do have a 99 in 30-06 (not so nice as yours) that I decided to leave as is due to the feed rails. Salt Flat

Salt Flat,

They haven't. You can't even seat a round on the follower as magazine has not been elongated. The T99 is currently out having it's barrel swapped.

T

Majspud, Excellent! Salt Flat

Majspud..
What do you plan on doing with the barrel take off?
Good call, and happy shooting!

The new barrel rotated three degrees beyond zero. They are cutting new threads to seat it properly and reaming the chamber a snitch to pass the go/no go gauge. I plan on saving the original barrel in the case I ever get rid of it, the new owner can put it back to .30/06. Hope to have it back shortly.

T

It'll be fine when finished and look great.

Got the Arisaka back from the Gunsmith. Now to find a box of 7.7 to try it out.

T

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...76bf99ab-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...eb6f191b-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...fcb25bf3-1.jpg

Well that looks great. Now you can sell the 30 cal barrel to one of these guys and buy a hay bale to feed that 4 foot long rabbit...

Bun-San (yes, that's his name) is not quite that long, but for a 'mini'-lop he does weigh 7.5 pounds. Supposed to be son's rabbit, but guess who takes care of him and plays with him...

He's up in my office most every night...I think we spend too much time together...

T

I had a cat like that. She came with someone else, and decided I was her mate...Oh well...

Morning pics. Now I need a bayonet, dust cover, and muzzle cover to complete it.

T

Bayonets can be had, good ones can be found too. Are you also going to see if you can capture an action cover? The sheet steel cover that slides with the bolt? Bayonets are here... https://www.joesalter.com/listings.p...II%20Militaria Simpson Ltd http://www.militaryantiquesmuseum.co...ayonets/Knives

That's what I meant by 'dust cover' as its called. I have a bayonet and dust cover for $100 with another board member possible...

T

What a gorgeous rifle!

Yup, looks about perfect now.

Be careful with the dust cover. They were individually fitted to each rifle and will cause bluing wear to the rifle if not fitted properly. I restored a Type 99 not to long ago (well almost completely just missing the original monopod) but since the mum was already ground and it was all mismatched anyways I didn't care too much about having the dust cover fitted properly.

Got all the pieces for my Toyo Kogyo. Only original pieces is the bayonet, a Type 30 Hikari Seiki. dust cover and muzzle cover are reproductions for now. I can see why the soldier's threw the dust covers away; what a pain!

T

Quote:

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Originally Posted by majspud

I can see why the soldier's threw the dust covers away.

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Noisy too I should think. Once loose. It looks great now.

Two boxes of 7,7 should be here next week for a range trip.

T

Let us know then. I expect it should shoot well just like anything else.

Tim, It's two weeks later so how did your T99 shoot or is the weather holding you back?

To this day, I like the way they put on those sights! It does make it stand out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bruce McAskill

Tim, It's two weeks later so how did your T99 shoot or is the weather holding you back?

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Sorry. I did get out to shoot it. As expected, the rifle was unmodified save the chamber and cycled flawlessly even with the reproduction dust cover. Since I was experimenting with the sights and the monopod kept falling off the concrete edge of the range, my groups were not great. I'll try again at some point; right now we're buried under 30" of snow and its still coming down.

Tim

You will likely get a better grouping without the monopod, as it is more or less superficial. The repro dust cover won't cause malfunction, but it is more likely to cause bluing loss to the receiver if not fitted properly. Personally I managed to do a 2.5 inch group (7rds as that was all I had) from a cold bore this winter at 100m from the prone.

Kill the wabbitt, kill the wabbitt....

I hate to see such a nice rifle with a barrel with fresh cut threads as that takes away from its originality. Was the barrel from the same series and arsenal. I have shims that I use so as not have to move any metal in changing barrels. Wish I had seen this sooner. For what its worth A John Deere Cotton picker Spindle shim is .005' thick and fit the threaded end of a Japanese barrel perfectly. Any one needing some contact me and I'll send you some.


Riceone