No Gas Port Hole??

Life long gun enthuist and 2nd Amendment supporter. I have recently found the joy of surplus collecting and boy, IS IT FUN. From the vast knowledge base of this forum (thanks for one to Claven2) I believe this rifle is a 7th Series Nagoya late war rifle. Though new to surplus collecting, this rifle hung in my father's work room my childhood and now resides with me. It's my understanding that all type 99s have a gas port drilled into the breach, however, this rifle has none. While the rifle exterior is in poor condition, the bore is surpisingly bright, with well defined rifling. This makes me think it is not a training rifle.

I'd appreciate the forum's feedback on why there is no port and if the $100+/- cost to procure a bolt safety knob, firing pin and pin spring would be worth it on a rifle in the condition. I'd like to get the parts, give it a thorough cleaning and put a few rounds through it with my father.

An obvious production error. You are correct in assuming that standard 99's have a single gas escape hole just below the stamped chrysanthemum (6.5 rifles have two holes). I have several rifles surrounding your serial number range and all have the gas port hole. On the cost to complete your bolt, I would not put $100 into a safety, firing pin and spring. Keep your eyes open and you should be able to find those parts or an entire bolt for half that cost.

By the way: Your rifle is a 25th series Kokura produced rifle made in mid/late 1945.

Many, many thanks jangle for the information and setting me straight on what I own!! The bolt matches the receiver, so I guess I'll be looking for a complete bolt assembly, and use the safety, pin and spring. Should I be looking for the more-plain, un knurled saftey? I'm thinking the lack of port could result in some high chamber pressures, that might be unsafe. I'd hate not to put a box of rounds through it, but now have second thoughts on taking it to the range.

The hole or holes in the case of a T38 don't do anything under normal conditions. It's in the event of a case failure they become important as it/they release the gases that otherwise blow back into the action "not good" and the shooters face "worse".

Are you sure the rifling is well defined? The Japs used polygonal rifling which to the uninitiated appears to be a shot out barrel.

The gas port has nothing to do with chamber pressure when firing the rifle . It is there to release gas in a safe direction if a case head blows . With new good modern ammo that is unlikely .

As others have pointed out, the gas port is just a safety feature and has no effect under normal operating circumstances

That said, your rifle was made when the Japanese were cutting every corner possible to get as many weapons as they could to the front lines, sometimes even being bombed in the process. A "last ditch" rifle as they are called. I would get the cheapest parts you can to get it in to working condition for display, but I personally wouldn't fire such a rifle. Is it safe to shoot? Most likely, but I wouldn't bet my life and pretty face on late war metallurgy and manufacturing. Its a cool, original piece of history as it sits

Warpig1976 - The rifling looks good. Image really doesn't show it properly, but its well defined. This is without a proper cleaning (will do soon). I need to ask, I assume that I'm looking for a non-knurled safety button, right??

Yup, that's polygonal rifling. Hills and valleys vs lands and grooves. Just making sure you didn't have some out of left field hybrid.

Yes, you need the rough welded safety to be correct. Here's a link to a popular parts supplier. :thup:https://www.libertytreecollectors.co...?idCategory=83
FYI, the late war substitute standard aka last ditch rifles are every bit as serviceable as any other T99. Production steps where curtailed but not the quality of materials.

Thanks for more valuable information. I asked about the type of safety because many of the matched bolts (matching the reciever) of the "last ditch" rifles, that I have seen, AND that have the nicer rounded bolt handle, also have the knurled safety. Those that have the cruder squarish-looking bolt handles, have the cruder welded saftey.

Also, this rifle has sentimental value for me, so I wont ever sell it, but does the lack of a gas port add to collectability? Has any forum members ever seen this before?

PM Marines55 he runs the Japanese collector web site, bet he'd know.
The Japanese Collector (Excellent Web Site)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WarPig1976

Yup, that's polygonal rifling. Hills and valleys vs lands and grooves. Just making sure you didn't have some out of left field hybrid.

Yes, you need the rough welded safety to be correct. Here's a link to a popular parts supplier. :thup:https://www.libertytreecollectors.co...?idCategory=83
FYI, the late war substitute standard aka last ditch rifles are every bit as serviceable as any other T99. Production steps where curtailed but not the quality of materials.

---

I didn't know that! So they were made from the same steel but just not finished as nicely?

That also explains why I've thought every nice T99 I've looked at was shot out....lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aadams22

I've thought every nice T99 I've looked at was shot out....lol

---

Now use the knowledge to your advantage and tell a seller he should pay you to take his "shot out" rifle off his hands. Just joking of course,,,,or am I....:madsmile:

Indeed, this is a 25th series Kokura made Type 99 short rifle. The absence of a vent hole is cool and is likely the result of hurried production. Since this is the very last series of 99s made by Kokura before war's end, anything is possible. if it were me, i would buy the safety, firing pin, and spring. it shouldn't cost you anywhere near $100 to replace those parts.

---------- Post added at 12:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:11 PM ----------

Oh, and the rifling is medford type, not polygonal. The medford rifling causes the lands to appear rounded, but they are perfectly accurate and serviceable. keep in mind type 99s were one war rifles, with most of them seeing only limited service and wear. 38s and 44s however were in service all over the world and have seen some very heavy use/refurbishment/etc.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Marines55

Oh, and the rifling is medford type, not polygonal.

---

Brain fart on my part. :dunno:

Marines55 - thanks for chiming in. Re my question above regarding the type of safety button. I haven't acutally saw first hand many T99s, and my matching bolt has the smoother type handle.

Aquici, Some late war Arisakas still had the plum shaped bolt handle and used the rough welded safety. I will see if I can find a picture of series 25. Salt Flat

Aquici, Here's a shortcut to a 25th series Kokura on this forum. It shows the bolt has the plum shaped handle with the crudely welded safety knob. Maybe Afmedic (the OP on that thread) can verify if these parts were matching to the receiver. Salt Flat

My last Ditch rifle..

Thanks Salt Flat for sharing. I feel now feel better knowing the welded knob with "plum" handle would be correct.

I'd appreciate everyone's comment regarding the follow method for removing rust:

Surplusrifle Forum View topic - Rusty Type 99 found inside a wall - UPDATED - NEW PHOTOS!!

The images are impressive, but I've never heard of this method before and have concerns. Moderators - sorry if I broke a rule posting this link - it wasn't intended.

Aquici, I would not do too much regarding the finish. It really doesn't look bad. Just dissassemble the rifle and wipe all the parts down with oil including the bore. (Check to see if the trigger guard screws are still staked, if they are do not take the rifle apart) I know some people will disagree but once you remove rust (patina) you have destroyed the history and the natural aging of the piece. Your rifle looks untouched (except for bolt) and there is no need to start messing with it now. Just my opinion. Salt Flat

Unfortunately the trigger guard screws were turned. I actually need a tang and those two screws. I didnt mention it earlier since they are minor parts. Any ideas on where I can get a rusted welded safety and tang with Burnt Umber #5 patina? :help:

Here is some info on the 25th Kokura Arsenal series from the book Military Rifles of Japan just to add a bit more to the knowledge available.

The highest serial number observed from this series is 91861, the method of matching was the last 3 digits of the serial number. Front sight is a inverted 'V' without guards. The front barrel band is either the 2 screw type, 3 screw type (three screw being early issue), or riveted (lowest serial number observed for riveted is 14267). Barrel bands are either plain, slotted or solid. Early sights in the series were the standard Arisaka Type 99 folding peep sight without AA-wings, your obviously has the fixed peep which started at about 19670. The characters signifying 'Type 99' were deleted in the 20000-32000 range. Standard stocks were used until somewhere in the 19508-19670 range when they switched to the stock configuration seen here. Bolt handle knob is listed as plum shaped. Safety is listed as welded with notch safety indicator. For the butt-plate it was cupped edge sheet metal, until at the latest being 19508, sometime around that point they went to just wood. For the finish it was all blued. And also the fullers in the stock were discontinued early in the series.

I'm pretty sure i have a tang and some screws if you need them

PM'ed

Attachment 68406Attachment 68407

With a stamped onepiece trigger guard, I'm assuming both insert up through the bottom and thread into the tang and end of receiver.