Guidance needed

[NVGuy]

Hi all, I picked up a Type 99. I am new to the Japanese rifles. Overall the rifle is in excellent condition except the stock has been cut down. The rest of the rifle looks to be original. The mum is intact and the bore is excellent. From what research i have done i think i have a Kokura Arsenal series 24 rifle. Beyond that I am not sure what year of manufacture that would make it. I was thinking of trying to find the correct stock for it to return it to its military configuration. Any help on the date or what stock I should be looking for would be appreciated.

https://ibb.co/tY5XJHG

https://ibb.co/L8DxQzk

https://ibb.co/WfknMQQ

https://ibb.co/7S26nRV

Information

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[Singer B]

Based upon the series stamping, it would be April of 1944 to April of 1945. It doesn't appear to be a "last ditch" rifle so I would guess it is closer to the summer of '44 since it still has the ladder sights and plum bolt handle knob. Some better pictures of the overall rifle and stock will help the real experts to provide you more information reference the correct stock for your rifle. You say it is cut down. Does it have a fitted wooden buttplate secured with small nails? Pictures of this would be a big help along with a picture of the cocking knob at the rear of the bolt. Also, do the numbers on the base of the bolt handle match the last 3 numbers of the serial number on the receiver? Nice job scoring one with the intact mum!

[NVGuy]

If i recall it is numbers matching. I will add some additional pictures this evening when i get home from work. It does have a steel buttplate. Not a wood one. Thanks!

[NVGuy]

Here are additional pictures. The bolt does match the receiver and it has a steel butt plate. The stock has been cut and refinished at some point. I would like to find a replacement stock that is correct for the series and year if that is possible. Any help with that would be appreciated.


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[Singer B]

It's definitely not a last ditch but the lack of cleaning rod hole indicates it is just about there. Where is the stock cut? The butt plate appears to fit properly indicating the stock isn't cut. If you are referring to the long cut that runs from the butt to to the grip, that is normal for Arisakas and actually creates a stronger stock than a normal stock. If you remove the butt plate, you will see the slot cut into the wood and how it is fitted. If that is the case, you won't need a new stock.

[NVGuy]

The stock is cut at the front barrel band and the wood is missing from there to the end of the barrel. Fore-end i guess. It also does not have a top handguard. So it looks like someone cur the stock down, removed the hand-guard and filled in the rear sling swivel on the buttstock. The buttstock appears to have been sanded and refinished with lacquer. Other than that it looks to have been in its stock configuration. I am guessing the lack of the cleaning rod hole is because the stock has been cut down?

Picture added.

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[Singer B]

Thank you, that explains it. Obtaining a new stock and upper handguard will set you back a few hundred dollars, if you can find them. As I said earlier, I think your best bet is to look for a deactivated rifle that is basically a parts gun that can't be rebuilt but has usable. I'm not sure and maybe someone else can answer this, but did US military people "duffle cut" Arisakas?

[jangle]

NVGuy,

These stocks do show up on auction sites, but will be pricey as Singer B mentions. What you will be looking for (if not attached to the original metal of a 24th series rifle) is a full length stock and handguard with beaver chatter at the wrist area, and NO Arsenal proof marks at the lower butt stock area. The rear butt-stock splice will go through the sling swivel, not higher or lower. Your front (bayonet lug) band is also missing, which is a numbered matching part, so you will need to purchase a two screw, not the earlier three screw variant, along with the screws. The cleaning rod hole is not visible on your stock because the rod is the short screw in type that is only approximately 5" long.

Singer B,
Thousands of Japanese rifles had their stocks cut down by returning GI's, Marines, Sailors etc., to fit in their duffle bags. Same holds true with k98k's, G/K43's etc. from the European campaign.

[Singer B]

NVGuy,

These stocks do show up on auction sites, but will be pricey as Singer B mentions. What you will be looking for (if not attached to the original metal of a 24th series rifle) is a full length stock and handguard with beaver chatter at the wrist area, and NO Arsenal proof marks at the lower butt stock area. The rear butt-stock splice will go through the sling swivel, not higher or lower. Your front (bayonet lug) band is also missing, which is a numbered matching part, so you will need to purchase a two screw, not the earlier three screw variant, along with the screws. The cleaning rod hole is not visible on your stock because the rod is the short screw in type that is only approximately 5" long.

Singer B,
Thousands of Japanese rifles had their stocks cut down by returning GI's, Marines, Sailors etc., to fit in their duffle bags. Same holds true with k98k's, G/K43's etc. from the European campaign.

Thank you! You always hear about the "duffel cut" Kar98ks so I assumed the same would happen for the Arisakas and was wondering if NVGuy's gun was one of those. Learned something new today!

[NVGuy]

OK thanks guys I appreciate it. So what is the difference between a 2 and 3 screw lug? Also what is beaver chatter?

Thanks!