Japanese Navy Training Rifle

[Aragorn243]

I picked up a Japanese Navy training rifle over the weekend and have a question on it. A lot of the metal has black paint slathered on it, somewhat heavy in spots. It's not on the barrel to any great extent but it is on the bayonet lug, receiver and butt plate. Doesn't make sense being on the bayonet lug simply because putting a bayonet on it would knock most of it off. I've looked at photos and can't really tell what is proper on these.

The rifle appears to me to be complete, including the dust cover which is also covered in black paint. It also has the nicest cartouche I've found in my searches, nice and deep and clear. Other than the black paint, doesn't seem to be a lot of finish on it, stock looks pretty good with branded stamps on both sides of the butt. Bore was a wreck but as it's a blanks only smoothbore, not a huge deal. I've got most of the crap out of it. I have not had time to take proper photos but will get around to that soon.

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[Flying10uk]

Are you sure that it is actually a black paint and not some kind of old hardened and dried-out preservative?

[Marines55]

Black paint is not uncommon in these navy issued rifles. Doesn't really sound out of the ordinary

[Aragorn243]

Definitely black paint. Thoughts on removing it or leaving it? I'm leaning towards removing it just because it's sloppy. I can deal with it however, not like I'll be taking it to the range. They didn't get any paint on the wood so I'm thinking they had the metal off when they painted it. Underside of receiver is painted very heavily. Not planning to do anything with that as I'm not taking it apart again. Handguard is nailed in place.

[tiriaq]

My Special Naval Rifle was also painted. Certainly appears to be the original finish. I wouldn't remove it.

[Flying10uk]

Is there any sign of bluing under the paint? If not you have the problem of what do you do next once the paint is off. It kind of depends on what you would like to end up with at the end of the day. For me, I don't like things to look too tarted up which can happen all too easily if you are not careful.

[Marines55]

That paint is original to the rifle so it's best to leave it as is

[Aragorn243]

OK, if it's original, I'll leave it on. It just bugged me that the bayonet lug has it on. Surely they put practice bayonets on these. Should have knocked the paint right off.

[Aragorn243]

Rear sight and handguard are crooked. Just the way it was made. The barrel band retaining spring is interesting, looks like it's just a piece of heavy wire. Safety works but is not the same as a real rifle. Everything just seems slightly off.

[Flying10uk]

I know that it is probably a stupid question but did the Japanese Navy actually use bayonets?