What should I be looking for on a Arisaka Type 99?

[72 usmc]

With any Arasaka you want to check the stock for a correct finish, this is a huge factor many have been refinished. You want original, not redone. Make sure the bolt matches. Make sure an original cleaning rod is present, most have reproductions. I like early rifles with a chrome lined bore. It is always nice if the dust cover matches,if it had a dust cover. Check the maker and rarity chart. Maker, stock finish, & matching bolt are a big factor in price. Do you want a collector or shooter? Does the rifle have an original sling or reproduction? Milsurps has a fantastic Knowledge Library with tons of photos showing the best examples. Check out the Japanese section see
https://www.milsurps.com/content.php...-by-Toyo-Kogyo)

There is a big difference in price for a shooter with a refinished stock, fake cleaning rod, ground mum, and mismatched bolt in comparison to an intact bring back.


For prices all collectors of surplus firearms should have a copy of the Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: the collectors price and reference guide, 9th new edition by Phillip Peterson. If you are new to surplus firearms check out my post on another forum :
Buying first surplus rifle, what to look for - Surplus Rifle Forum - www.surplusrifleforum.com

Yep, Type 99s can go at Wi gun shows as dog shooters at $150 to intact collectables at around $800-900. Prices depend on the markings & how rare it is, the stock finish, the matching numbers and parts, the original $200-250 sling, an original cleaning rod, mum intact, bore & chamber condition. Is it a USMC bring back with papers and provenience?
An average shooter in WI with maybe a refinished stock, matching bolt, no dust cover, no cleaning rod or a fake rod with an intact mum could be found around $250-350. Prices be nuts at this time. Prices are also regional dependent.
Best advice look at examples of bring backs and get a feel for a correct finish to the wood and metal. Bring a print out of makers marks so you will know the maker and series, Print out the rarity chart. Then look at its attributes. Go to a library and read up on Arasaka rifles. Almost all have a copy of Military Rifles of Japan by Fred Honeycutt.
Always study this forums Knowledge library. It is beyond fantastic .

Also check out this page and print it out for reference.
https://oldmilitarymarkings.com/japanese_markings.html

I also found this post great on this forum:
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=42450

Lets say it is a bring back from Okinawa, It most likely will have all matching wood and metal. The bolt may not match the rifle, but it then should match itself. Most bring backs have matching bolts and a sling that I found years ago. A true bring back complete , but no papers can go above $1000. Some refinished or recoated the stock as a bring back- this is bad news for value. If the rifle is still in the box it was shipped home in its priceless. I like damaged rifles with flame burns or bullet damage. be sure to look for the numbers, the numbers on the bolt handle, extractor, firing pin, & safety knob stem should be the same as the last one to three digits of the rifle serial number. I agree with the above poster, depending on its condition especially the stock finish and cartouches, the rarity value of some models, the price might be a fair one to a steal.
for data sheets as check off hints or tons of information see Banzai web page : BANZAI