"X" Mum

[Patrick Chadwick]

The chrysanthemum emblem was a symbol that the rifle was the emperor's property. If a rifle was taken out of army service (like the school rifles) or surrendered, then the "mum" was defaced or ground off to show that it was no longer the property of the emperor. So, to all you collectors who like to use the phrase "part of it's history" - that defacement is part of its history!

Personally, I am not a collector of showcase items - I just want to have an rifle that shoots well and has not been "improved" by Bubba. So I would examine all three from the point of view of shooting potential, go for the best (potential) shooter, and not worry about the defacement of the mum - that is anyway preferable to one where the mum has been ground off!

Patrick