What should be my next WWII era firearm?

[Aragorn243]

You can see the pitting in the photos. The third photo shows the most. Look above the groove for the dust cover. I can see it in all three but that is the most dramatic.

Fine steel wool takes cold blue off very easily. I've used in a few times. It goes on dark and then you can steel wool it to get it to match the original color better. It's not the most durable finish. It will look like bare metal which is basically what it is.

[I.H.1989]

You can see the pitting in the photos. The third photo shows the most. Look above the groove for the dust cover. I can see it in all three but that is the most dramatic.

Fine steel wool takes cold blue off very easily. I've used in a few times. It goes on dark and then you can steel wool it to get it to match the original color better. It's not the most durable finish. It will look like bare metal which is basically what it is.

You are right, i see the pitting now. Would the fine steel wool remove the original bluing? Also, he said that he would only accept $300 for it. no lower. I still think it's a decent price, but I want to know if I can find a better deal.

[Aragorn243]

You can always find a better deal, until you can't. What I think you should do is go to a gun show, search in your area and go to one. Should be at least a dozen Arisakas there that you can get your hands on. You need to consider that in addition to the asking price, you have shipping on top of that and possibly a transfer. I am not aware of the laws in your state. Two years ago $300 would get you a nice one with mum. Find the right guy, you still can but I paid $400 just a couple months ago. $300 does seem to be the asking price for a nice one with ground mum but you can usually get the price lower with some negotiating. But that's here a couple hundred miles north of you. There is a large show coming up in Oaks PA which is just outside of Philly, if you wanted to make a day trip of it, this one has a lot of milsurps and is the one I bought my most recent Arisaka at. I'd double check the rules for you buying in another state but I don't believe their is any issue with someone in PA selling to you, long guns especially.

[I.H.1989]

You can always find a better deal, until you can't. What I think you should do is go to a gun show, search in your area and go to one. Should be at least a dozen Arisakas there that you can get your hands on. You need to consider that in addition to the asking price, you have shipping on top of that and possibly a transfer. I am not aware of the laws in your state. Two years ago $300 would get you a nice one with mum. Find the right guy, you still can but I paid $400 just a couple months ago. $300 does seem to be the asking price for a nice one with ground mum but you can usually get the price lower with some negotiating. But that's here a couple hundred miles north of you. There is a large show coming up in Oaks PA which is just outside of Philly, if you wanted to make a day trip of it, this one has a lot of milsurps and is the one I bought my most recent Arisaka at. I'd double check the rules for you buying in another state but I don't believe their is any issue with someone in PA selling to you, long guns especially.

I go to gunshows whenever they come to my area, and unfortunately, Arisakas are in short supply and the times they do, are usually pretty high in asking price and in rough shape. Gun shows usually are asking for at least $400 and are generally unwilling to negotiate a lower price. The only stores that are selling them is my usually place to go to when interested in classic firearms and they are asking for $399 for a defaced mum Arisaka.

If i wanted to go to that show, I would have to put in leave, and it's a little too late for that. They like it when there is a two week gap at the least. As to hte rules for buying out of state, it would have to be taken possession of through an FFL in my state.

[Aragorn243]

Are you from Virginia? If so, according to the NRA's website, you should be fine purchasing any longarm out of state from an FFL dealer. No permit required and reciprocity with PA. Any sellers at a gun show that are not FFL dealers are working with FFL dealers nearby to conduct background checks. Oaks is a huge show, they have four a year I believe, maybe more. Harrisburg is also pretty large but not as large as Oaks. Both would require an early morning departure but might be worth a look.

I really don't think $300 is out of line for the above rifle. A little high but not by much, especially if your local selling prices are that high.

[I.H.1989]

Are you from Virginia? If so, according to the NRA's website, you should be fine purchasing any longarm out of state from an FFL dealer. No permit required and reciprocity with PA. Any sellers at a gun show that are not FFL dealers are working with FFL dealers nearby to conduct background checks. Oaks is a huge show, they have four a year I believe, maybe more. Harrisburg is also pretty large but not as large as Oaks. Both would require an early morning departure but might be worth a look.

I really don't think $300 is out of line for the above rifle. A little high but not by much, especially if your local selling prices are that high.

I am stationed in Virginia, yes.Unfortunately, I won't be able to make the one this weekend. There is one in Norfolk this weekend, so I may take a look there and see what they have. If there are any Arisakas there for a decent price, I will see what they have, but so far, this one for $300, while probably having had work done to it, is the best that I have encountered so far.

I will probably come to a decision after I head to the gunshow, and I will let you guys know of any prospects I find.

[I.H.1989]

Here's another bit of information. I was was posting on another board and I received a message from a man on the board who is very knowledgable, and knows a guy who is selling his large collection of WWII firearms. He has several Arisakas and gave me the man's number.

I gave him a call and we got to talk about what he had available. He has 7x Type 99 Arisakas, with matching serial numbers and anti-air sights, each of them in good condition and $350 from what we discussed, however, I think that I could talk him into lower hte price some. He also has three more that fit that criteria I was looking for (matching serial numbers and AA sights), but these had the Mum or traces of it. One had 95% of the mum for $600 which was a Series 0 and had an original sling I believe, a Series 1 with the mum "X"-ed, and one with just the outline of one for $400.

Unfortunately, he is an older gentleman and can't email me any pictures of them, though he has quite the collection from what we discussed, including memorabilia and the like. What do you guys think?

[I.H.1989]

I hate posting so many times without an answer, but this was an Arisaka at auction that was going for $395, however, after contacting the seller, he told me that he would sell it for $350, and pay for shipping as well.

From what we discussed, the bore was clean and bright with no rust or erosion, the serial numbers on the receiver and bolt matched (those were the only ones he could find) and as far as he could tell, there had been no restoration work done on it.

What do you guys think?

[Aragorn243]

It is a series 32 Kokura Kogyo. It should not have a monopod band which it does not. It also should not have the anti-aircraft sights or the dust cover which it does. Now, this may not be a problem as if it is an early 32, it could still have these until they ran out. To me it looks like a good honest rifle. Serial numbers should also be on the bayonet lug and the dust cover. If the dust cover is not serial numbered, it may not belong with the rifle but as long as it is original, it's worth $60+ by itself. I doubt the anti-aircraft wings were added, they were probably left overs from the transition. Stock a bit rough but adds character.

[I.H.1989]

It is a series 32 Kokura Kogyo. It should not have a monopod band which it does not. It also should not have the anti-aircraft sights or the dust cover which it does. Now, this may not be a problem as if it is an early 32, it could still have these until they ran out. To me it looks like a good honest rifle. Serial numbers should also be on the bayonet lug and the dust cover. If the dust cover is not serial numbered, it may not belong with the rifle but as long as it is original, it's worth $60+ by itself. I doubt the anti-aircraft wings were added, they were probably left overs from the transition. Stock a bit rough but adds character.

I asked him about the serial number on the bayonet lug, and he said there wasn't one. I have seen some Type 99s that didn't have serial numbers there so it's not surprising, but I am curious as to why that is. I've tried looking online but I haven't found anything.

I also found another that a man was selling one. It's an Toyo Kogyo series 33 with all matching serial numbers and is in good shape with the mum. It does have a small piece of the stock broken off near the bayonet lug. It also comes with a bayonet and scabbard. The price he is asking for seems decent