Gents,
I am back to my "regular" page now with markings and series numbers. Amazing how you loose things on the 'net if you don't bookmark.

http://oldmilitarymarkings.com/japanese_markings.html

As such, I was looking at the series 10 through 12 production figures. Is it possible to nail the approximate time that the rifle was made... Late 44... early 45 etc? As we all know, they were bombed out heavily and no known exact dates are recorded.

Just out of curiosity, as most of the early war features have been deleted from this one (moveable sights... chrome)... but it lacks rope slings and "angry beaver" machine marks to a large extent...

When I get a "correct" end cap to the rifle, then I can start machining out the "duffel cut" fore end and upper handguard.