Arisaka Type 99 "Last Ditch"

[dttuner]

Arisaka Type 99 in fair condition. Firing pin, and chrysanthemum ground-off
Overall decent shape, and would-be shootable if it wasn't for the ground firing pin.

- Front post has windage slider
- Bayonet Mount
- Wood buttstock cap
- Very rough finish overall
- Serial# 75932, matching bolt + "slider"

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[vintage hunter]

would-be shootable if it wasn't for the ground firing pin.

Easy fix, T99 firing pins are no problem to find, 4 or 5 listed on ebay right now. Finding factory loaded ammo may be a bit tough though.

[UNPROFOR1994]

It is a Series 34, serial number range 1-99.999 made at the Toyo Kogyo arsenal.

[dttuner]

You guys are really on top of this stuff!

Sad part about the firing pin is it won't be numbers-matching
I have another Arisaka Type 99, which I'm slowly working on getting the rust off (badly surface rusted).
That one does have a firing pin, with matching serial number.

Here's a poor picture of it. As you can see, someone tried their hand at wood checkering:

[UNPROFOR1994]

Can't see everything in the pictures but your Series 34 rifle should have these features:

-Wood buttplate (including a few double-thick)
-Front sight without guards
-Welded and pinned front band
-Fixed peep sight
-No cleaning rod
-Short upper handguard
-Large diameter recoil bolt
-Single screw rear swivel
-Rough welded safety knob
-Oval bolt handle was retained throughout production at Toyo Kogyo
-Some rifles assembled on previously-rejected early-style stocks

Source: Japanese Rifles Of World War 2 by Duncan O. McCollum

[dttuner]

Easy fix, T99 firing pins are no problem to find, 4 or 5 listed on ebay right now. Finding factory loaded ammo may be a bit tough though.

Guess I can take the firing pin from the 2nd Type 99 I have in my possession. Luckily, there's one firing pin and one spring between the two rifles.
Factory ammo I've found online for about $2+ per round. Not cheap, but I can find some at least.

Ammo:
Precision Cartridge 7.7x58 Japanese 174gr FMJ-BT Ammo- 20 Rounds - Ventura Munitions

[vintage hunter]

Sad part about the firing pin is it won't be numbers-matching

Unnumbered ones turn up fairly regular on ebay. It would still be matching by default. Or, you could always fix the original. I've done it several times with Mausers to keep the numbers matching.

about $2+ per round

You can buy a set of dies for what you'd pay for one box of ammo. Cases are easily made from 30-06 and I've used 8mm mauser also in the past. If you plan to shoot it much reloading is the way to go. Don't reload? Maybe a good time to get started. Just my .02 worth.

[browningautorifle]

a good time to get started.

What he said...

[dttuner]

You can buy a set of dies for what you'd pay for one box of ammo. Cases are easily made from 30-06 and I've used 8mm mauser also in the past. If you plan to shoot it much reloading is the way to go. Don't reload? Maybe a good time to get started. Just my .02 worth.

I'm dying to start reloading. Where we live now, it's not a good idea.
Someday...

Unnumbered ones turn up fairly regular on ebay. It would still be matching by default. Or, you could always fix the original. I've done it several times with Mausers to keep the numbers matching.

How do I fix the existing firing pin?
I'll take a picture tonight and post it up. Completely ground off.

[dttuner]

Ok, so I figured-out why the pin was ground off...