Type 99 bayonet.

[tlitt]

I recently bought a Type 99, I believe in the mid production years. It has the oval bolt knob. The mum is mostly intact and the bolt and rifle numbers match. I was thinking of refinishing the stock. It's reported as a bring back and there isn't an importers stamp that I can find.
My question is about the bayonet. The bayonet that came with it seems late production and fits very loosely. I have another arisaka bayonet that fits the same. They both have lots of play and rattle badly. Can't imagine someone carrying this around at night because of the noise.
This is the first time I've had the opportunity to handle a rifle with the bayo attached and wondered if this is normal or perhaps the bayonet lug has been over machined or maybe I don't have the proper bayonet?

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Most bayonets have a modicum of play, over time this can be increased by use and wear. Not really unusual. If you haven't handled a rifle/bayonet before, you have nothing to compare to. The rattling of a bayonet at night won't be noticed over many other noises. I don't remember ever doing night ops with a bayonet fitted...just when on the attack or advance...maybe close quarter battle...

Yes, they rattle.

[tlitt]

I have a German and Turkish Mauser and the bayonets fit a lot tighter. I know very little about the Japanese rifles and one source referred to them as a throw away rifle.
When I thought of the night ops I was thinking about the banzi charges.
I mentioned refinshing the stock. It has several dings in it which seem to be caked with dried cosmoline. I thought to strip the varnish and then steam the dings to see if it helped them any. Any suggestions on this, I don't want to do anything to harm the rifle or it's value.
I'll probably never sell it but one of these days my kids will have a sizable collection to contend with.lol

[browningautorifle]

A steam treatment will probably pop the dings out without any damage.

This is the first time I've had the opportunity to handle a rifle with the bayo attached

This sort of gave me a different idea...anywayzzz, rifles and bayonets all fit a bit different. Some looser than others. I don't really believe a Banzai charge would be that quiet anyway.

[tlitt]

Just thought be as quiet as posssible for as long as possible. lol
But yeah, I am sure that had to be a loud, chaotic time for both sides.
Just hard to imagine

[tlitt]

Got the stock done and all put back together. Looks pretty good and the steaming helped some of the dings but still have some dark spots in the deeper ones.

I've read the bayonet lug should have a serial number on it but mine doesn't. Does this mean anything, ie- later in the war or maybe the band/lug is something added later?

Thanks