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

[72 usmc]

The original is stiff and does not bend easy, better steel that bends and springs back. Look at the patina on the metal. Look for rounded edges from use. Look for wear marks. Looks for dirt , rust and wear to the edges of the patch hole. There is generally milling marks on originals not smooth like found on the reproductions and there is a color and patina change to the portion of an original cleaning rod the was inside the covered and protected by the wood and the portion that was exposed out the storage hole. The original rod is not entirely a uniform color. Notice specific wear patterns, not a faked uniform blue removal with a scrubby. It is an experience thing- the more real ones you see, makes a fake will just stand out. No deep black blue or real sharp images on an original. Too smooth a surface and I would wonder. I have never posted images here, I am more on the surplusrifleforum, but due to a server switch all the photos of key posts have been removed so I can not show any examples. Now consider who is selling it. If a dealer, it could be faked to get a bigger buck, but a family getting rid of a surplus WW II item may buy a reproduction rod, but not go to extremes to add wear and age. They do not buy top of the line fakes, just stuff commonly found on flee bay. So who is selling the rifle is something to consider. Most reproduction rods are cheep Chinese or Indian made fakes that bend very easy due to soft metal. An original rod is tough and has spring to the steel. It' s like reproduction Civil War bayonets. Stick a Springfield into the ground upright with a real bayonet it stays erect, do that with a reproduction bayonet, the rifle will fold over on the easily bent bayonet.

Look at the threads on an original from some on line photos, look at the reproductions on eBay. Look at how the original rod end shape is to the threads and how long the section of threaded steel is. Look at how the top end misshaped formed: rounded or sharp. Some rods have Japanese letters as a makers mark. I no longer remember which ones. Now, there are some machinists that make excellent, strong reproductions and some age these so it is difficult to tell. They are so good you will not know. You would find these at high price dealers or auction houses that put parts back on rifles to get top buck. There are more fakers of M1 carbines and K98 Mausers, than Japanese rifles.

Here are some pictures of originals from Libertytreecollectors. nice photos.
https://www.libertytreecollectors.co...idproduct=2503

In contrast here is an IMA cheep reproduction that bends like a coat hanger:
https://www.ima-usa.com/products/jap...nt=26157213829

Another fake ,but it shows the ends and threads:
https://www.desertcart.com.kw/produc...9-cleaning-rod

There is no tutorial on Arasaka Cleaning rods, but here is one about K98 rods that might give you some clues what to look for: threads, patina, edges, blue>
Original German WWII Era 10 & 12 Inch Cleaning Rods

If from a private person and a rare maker with original stock, matching; if you can get it at $500 grab it. Risk it. Bring backs are getting hard to find.

If it is a nice arsenal like Jinsen (star mark) or Hotel-Mukden (circle with 3 spokes inside a circle ) it's really nice. And be sure it was not rechambered to 30-06.

[72 usmc]

If you feel bad about the price , this will make it seem better. See what they get for an airsoft replica

Air soft, Type 38 Arisaka - Surplus Rifle Forum - www.surplusrifleforum.com

[Ovidio]

I guess that a 99 at that price could be worth a try.
If the rifle and mechanics are all original, that might be worth the amount asked.
Here the 99’s are rare and fairly expensive.
The repro rod would be a detail, maybe to be “corrected” at some time.
I missed a couple of those a few years ago and am still weeping.

[usabaker]

If you feel bad about the price , this will make it seem better. See what they get for an airsoft replica

Air soft, Type 38 Arisaka - Surplus Rifle Forum - Surplus Rifle Forum - www.surplusrifleforum.com - Index page

That is NUTS! 2K! one heck of an Air Soft

[usabaker]

If from a private person and a rare maker with original stock, matching; if you can get it at $500 grab it. Risk it. Bring backs are getting hard to find.

Just back from looking at it again. Pictures attached

First I was wrong the MUM has an X across it, my mistake when I first looked at it - SO I guess the Emperor can rest well.

Looks like a Arsenal/Subcontractor :Toyo Kogyo Period of Operation1939-1945 (from looking at the links 72 USMC sent me)

- Missing the cleaning rod
- Missing the dust cover
- Missing the monopod but the Barrel band with the monopod block is there.
- Has the Airplane Sites intact clean no missing parts and is not bent
- The bolt has Kanji but my eyes are so back I can't figure out what the look like; no Numbers at all on the bolt that I could see
- No number on the extractor
- Stock doesn't look like it was messed with and if it was it was a long time ago. Maybe you guys can tell?
- The tapered front site is intact with the "ears" no bends or damage
- Barrel is dirty-dusty but the rifling looks strong.

Its a consignment gun from some elderly couple in their 80's, supposedly the son of the soldier who brought it home. They won't take less than $600.00 (I think sentimental value here)

They are also selling an RFI "Jungle Carbine" there for $599.99 and a couple overpriced Yugo M48's, and a WAY overpriced ArmaLite AR-17 12 gauge Shotgun

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[Ovidio]

I have the feeling that it could be sporterized...
Too much barrel exposed.
I’m no expert, but something’s odd.

[Singer B]

That's a good sign! Another good sign is if the bolt (3 digit number marked on the flat part of the handle where it connects to the bolt body) matches the serial number on the receiver. Look at the screws on the bottom of the rifle that are holding the action in the stock. They were staked at the factory. If they are still staked, that is a good indicator that the gun is original. If they are un-staked, then the gun has been dismantled at some time. If the owner will let you, take the bolt apart and check the 3-digit number on the base of the safety knob. If it matches the bolt and the receiver, great! Does it have the anti-aircraft sights (fold down arms)? A picture of the serial number would really help since Arisakas are similar to German Mausers in that as the war went on, they were stripped of features and workmanship changed. They started with excellent workmanship, anti-aircraft sights, a monopod, dust cover, rounded bolt handle and engraved safety knob. My 1941 Type 99 is a beautiful rifle, but none of the numbers match, it is a parts gun, and the stock has been sanded slightly. It functions perfectly and shoots great. I paid $350 for it about a year ago at a gun show. My 1945 Arisaka Type 99 "last ditch" rifle looks nothing like my 1941 rifle. It is crude, rattles a lot, and looks pretty scary. It also functions perfectly and shoots great. It also has all matching numbers. I got lucky and picked it up for $75 from a dealer who thought it was too ugly to be of any value. If you provide a picture of the serial number, several people here can tell you what features your gun should have on it and the level of craftsmanship it should display. A really important picture to get is the symbol located at the start of the serial number since it will tell you the series number for your rifle and indicates when it was manufactured. $600 sounds a little high unless it is an all-matching numbers rifle. Hope that helps!

[usabaker]

I have the feelingthat it could be sporterized...
Too much barrel exposed.

I think you are right! I'm looking at other pictures and comparing them.. Crap-O-la.... Boy if it is, I am sure glad I consulted the Forum first...

[Singer B]

Your pictures popped up right after I sent my initial response! $600 is way too much for that gun. It is a late 1942/early 1943 rifle and should have the full length stock and upper handguard. Someone has cut it down significantly and you can see that the front barrel band/nose piece does not fit properly. I have never heard of "duffle cut" Arisakas but maybe someone with more expertise has? To return it to original would be rather expensive since the stocks are had to come by. Its too bad because other than that, it looks like the parts are all in pretty good shape.

[usabaker]

To return it to original would be rather expensive since the stocks are had to come by. Its too bad because other than that, it looks like the parts are all in pretty good shape.

Yeah looks like stocks are running between $350.00 and $450.00, condition and year made being the factor. I'm gonna let them know and offer $250.00 tops..