Type 99 Saved From Bubba- Tokyo Juki Kogyo

[Midmichigun]

Gents,
I caught another Arisaka!
The seller said that it was in the corner of his basement for some time. He planned to customize it, but never got around to it. We argued about the price for a bit. He wanted $85.00. I got it for less... The rust appears to be pretty heavy....

Based on the next photo, I think it is a Tokyo Juki Kogyo Series 37? It looks like the stamp was struck twice. Spot me on this folks!

So she has had the Mum ground/ defaced. But since it is a chrome bore, I think she will be my new range shooter! I can leave the better examples in the safe!
More random photos:





Ok, the bolt doesn't match. And it is clearly from another series. The machine marks are MUCH more ROUGH. The bolt face is also NOT chrome faced.

Now, the question comes up about Bubba.... or is this actually a duffel cut? Note where the cut (and the NEW barrel band are located).





The seller was thinking of buying a NEW stock for it. If this is indeed a duffel cut, then I think it would be worthwhile to make a fore end. If I can source the wood or match it close. I think this is the original wood coating.



The metal under the wood is actually quite nice, and a grease is slathered around many of the parts...

Information

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[Salt Flat]

Midmich, That’s a hard one to find and well worth making a new forend and hanguard for. I've used some light walnut for these. It’s a little hard to match the stain and finish. A little experimentation on some scraps will help. Good buy and a neat project! Salt flat

[Midmichigun]

Salt,
Thanks for the kind words!

As I go forward, I do research on these buggers. Some questions have come up. If indeed I have a series 37, what "features" should it have based on my SN?
I saw that some folks say that their series 37 don't have anti aircraft wings...monpods sometimes aren't provided for... or aren't there... or no provision for it....... bolt faces are or aren't chromed... dust covers are sometimes not present.... What length of cleaning rod should this have?

Since I am cruising the parts places, what should I be getting for this old gal?

[Aragorn243]

It says the first 21,000 were all early configuration with the following changes introduced as the series progressed (which I assume means not all at one time)

Receiver marked with only chrysanthemum
non-monopod rear band
Front sight without guards
rear ladder sight without anti-aircraft wings
2-screw front band without rod
wood buttplate

[Midmichigun]

Aragorn,
Thanks for the thoughts. On your list, she does have a metal buttplate and front sight protectors. As to the bolt, it is a non matching to the rifle. The rear sight, after some cleaning, doesn't look like the wings were mounted. I can't tell if there were springs present, until I soak it some more.
After much soaking and elbow grease, I have this:






Now the rear tang looks like it has seen some service. I don't know if the IJA "peened" the metal around the hole to get a better fit, or of this was Yank. ingenuity. Due to the "rough" feel, would this be original, or a swapped out tang? If I swap it for something in better condition, I would hate to over restore this nifty rifle.


Even the bolt cleaned up well.


If I didn't replace the monopod, it would certainly save some $$. But as I mentioned, I would like to make it authentic as possible.

[Bill Hollinger]

Wow! That cleaned up great!

[Salt Flat]

Midmich, That did clean up nice. I would't feel bad at all about switching a few small parts out for better ones. I would feel diffently about this if it were all matching and staked but this one has already been altered so you may as well make it look presentable. I wouldn't refinish anything though. Regarding the monopod, it never had one originally so I wouldn't worry about finding one. Salt Flat

[Aragorn243]

I wouldn't worry about the monopod. What I found curious is that the other series produced at this plant was series 27 and they were all substitute standard rifles. I don't know if they produced the series 27 after the series 37 but something doesn't make sense.

It cleaned up pretty nice.

[Midmichigun]

Gents,
Different camera, hopefully good results.
As I see there was a discussion on the Series vs. a different Series, I am going to post a few inspector marks. I have uploaded more photos, but apparently the Internet is running slow... Here is what I do have...
Rear Sight Markings....

Notice the rough machine marks on the backside.
Cartouches under the bolt release. I have more on the other side, but they haven't uploaded yet..

Note the purple color on the trigger parts. This is interesting due to the metallurgy and heat treat of this part.... I don't always see this on my Arisaka's...

[Midmichigun]

Gents,
Well, I sorted through my stockpile of woods, and didn't have a walnut that was light enough. Closest I could find was an unknown "asian species" of wood I got for a few bucks a pound at Wood Crafters some time back:

My usual parts source came through and I scored an upper handguard... barrel band... receiver tang.... and nose cap....



Then it was to the mill. Using a 1/2in router, I carved out the barrel channel and roughly contoured the missing fore end.








Here is the front end of the rifle. After placing the rear band in place, I can clearly see that the top handguard is a little warped. No problem for when I get the bands in place... just an annoyance currently.


This last photo is an interesting comparison between my last ditch type 99. and the one that I am repairing. Left up to do is to finish contouring the wood to the end cap. I started this process, but didn't upload the photo yet... so you will have to suffer with this: