Made August 1945

[Milsurp Collector]

This is my Series 35 Type 99 Arisaka rifle. The serial number is 56045, the highest reported Series 35 serial number is 56658:


















According to production records it was made during the first days in August 1945 by the Toyo Kogyo Co. The Toyo Kogyo Co. plant was located approximately 3 miles east of downtown Hiroshima.

On August 6, 1945, a few days after this rifle was made, a B-29, the Enola Gay, dropped an atomic bomb (Little Boy) on Hiroshima, the first use of an atomic bomb as a weapon. Toyo Kogyo ceased all production activities. While damage to company facilities was minimal, because of its location 5.3km from the center, employee morale was devasted. The company immediately opened all facilities and its stock of medical supplies to the public, and devoted all its efforts to rescue activities.

After the war, the Toyo Kogyo Co. resumed production of cars and trucks, and in 1984 Toyo Kogyo changed its name to the same as the nameplate on the vehicles it produces: Mazda.

Mazda corporate headquarters are still located in Hiroshima Prefecture.

Information

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[Swede]

Great looking rifle and interesting writeup.