Why are some Arisaka bring backs missing cocking knob/firing pin?

[MilsurpMM]

I bought an arisaka several months ago and the cocking knob was a repro and the firing pin was unmatched from the gun (everything else was matching). Were some GIs forced to discard their firing pins/cocking knobs when they brought their rifles home because I can't understand why the original cocking knob would not be with the rifle.

(I have since bought an original cocking knob for my rifle)

Information

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[mmppres]

there seams to be alot of them missing. I get asked at every gun show i set up at for those parts. I have also had those same parts stolen from rifles I had on display for sale. Could be that they are very easy to remove.

[bob q]

A lot of war bring backs were given to kids to play with . Pulling the pin was an easy way to make it a safe "toy" . 20 years later the pin and safety are still in a drawer somewhere .

[MilsurpMM]

A lot of war bring backs were given to kids to play with . Pulling the pin was an easy way to make it a safe "toy" . 20 years later the pin and safety are still in a drawer somewhere .

Very funny. That could explain why haha

[browningautorifle]

Or just nub the firing pin off for display...but removing them completely seems to be easier. Then as stated they sit on a shelf for decades. Only the originator knows for sure. Like Lee Enfield bolts and mags...

[Sarge1998]

My father brought one home when he returned from the Pacific in 1945, the firing pin was ground off to make it unable to fire.

[Aroostook]

I was told by my gun guy ( Peter Gordon) that the firing pins were made from subpar steel as the war went on. The biggest cause of this , he says is dry firing. Considering you can't close decock by closing the bolt and holding the trigger like you do on mauser actions. He was dozens of these Arisakas and maybe 10 have firing pins left. That's my best guess.

[browningautorifle]

The biggest cause of this , he says is dry firing.

Yes, I've seen this happen too, not an Arisaka... the end of a firing pin goes right out the barrel upon firing.

[bob q]

I was told by my gun guy ( Peter Gordon) that the firing pins were made from subpar steel as the war went on. The biggest cause of this , he says is dry firing. Considering you can't close decock by closing the bolt and holding the trigger like you do on mauser actions. He was dozens of these Arisakas and maybe 10 have firing pins left. That's my best guess.

I have over 300 and have never had that problem . The "subpar " steel is a myth , As all their machine guns , airplane motors , ships and cannon did not have these problems . But I have bought many from people who told me their dad took out the pin so they could play army .

[Sarge1998]

My father died in 62' when I was 9 and my brother & sister were already out of the house, so I don't know or recall who told me this. His Arisaka did have a firing pin but was missing about an inch, I borrowed a good pin in 75' and fired a box of Norma rounds, but I had to give the good pin back eventually. I gave the rifle away foolishly in the early 80's, yea I regret that move.