WW2 Japanese sniper rifle

[gordong]

I've decided to add a WW2 Japanese sniper rifle to my sniper collection

Any advice / leads would be greatly appreciated

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[Ernest T]

You may already know this but prices for the Japanese snipers has gone a little crazy over the past year or 2. Very difficult to find either a Type 97 or a Type 99 sniper with a scope for less than $3000 these days. I've recently seen sets selling close to $5000. You might be able to save a few $$ by buying the rifle and scope separately then matching them up, but this can take time, since both are scarce.

The other thing to know is that there are only about 5 or 6 known documented rifle/scope matching sets. The vast majority of cases the scope does not match the rifle. Somehow the rifles and scopes all got separated at the end of the war, and now the typical finding is a mismatched rifle/scope set. The scopes fit the rifles with no problem, but the problem with this is that the scopes were zeroed to the rifles when assembled. This means that it is rare to find a scope that is zeroed to the rifle. In some cases they will be off a few inches, but in others several feet or more, making it nearly impossible to shoot the rifle using the scope. These scopes were not meant to be adjusted in the field, so they are not easily zeroed.

If the scope is only off a small amount there is a way to zero them or at least get them closer. I have done it, but it is not user friendly. The other thing to look for are black flakes inside the scope, or where the grid is missing or broken. The black flakes are flecks of paint that have come off inside the scope. They usually don't make the scope unusable, but a scope without them is considered a better value as is a scope with the grid intact.

Although the Japanese snipers are somewhat difficult to fake, there are some fakes out there, so you do want to know what to look for before you make a big purchase. I recommend this book: "Japanese Sniper Rifles of the Second World War" you can get a copy from:
Francis C. Allan
20 Courtney Place
Palm Coast, FL 32137-8126

Cost is $55 postpaid in the US. Well worth it before you make a big investment.

Good luck!

[gordong]

Thanks Ernest, much appreciated