My complete Nagoya 5th Series Type 99 Arisaka (Photo essay)

[lthilsdorf]

I bought this 5th Series Nagoya Type 99 back in March 2011 for $300. I know nothing about Arisakas except that this was the nicest example I had seen at a show in New York for some time. I figured I was in the market for a new rifle, so why not pick it up! It's the only Japanese rifle I have right now, but it's a good representative piece. If only I could find a cheap Type 38 Carbine or Type 44, haha!

Anyway, the rifle is all matching and includes the dust cover and AA-sights. The 5th series was not issues with a monopod, as far as I can tell from my research. The rifle doesn't show any wear on the stock from being issued one either. In fact, the wood shows no wear at all. The metal is pitted in some areas and shows clear wear, but the stock is pristine. When I bought it I figured someone may have sanded it and coated a polyurethane finish over it. However, the inspectors cartouche on the buttstock is still very strong. I can't explain this rifle really, haha! It has the mum and no import stamp, so I figure it must be a mid-war captured rifle. The previous owner didn't have any papers, and no story was given about it except it had been in his fathers collection for sometime and the dad was finally selling off alot of his Arisakas.

One strange thing are the markings on the barrel. Some folks on other forums felt it may have been made by a pipe wrench when someone tried to remove the barrel to rechamber it. I tried putting a 30-06 round in and it wouldn't chamber, so I doubt that's the case. However I have yet to find an 7.7 ammo to test it out and be sure.

Of course, when I bought it I knew none of this, so I am pretty lucky. (I think, ha!) Anyway I feel this is a pretty nice example of a Type 99 so I wanted to share it!

Anyway, I'll let the photos talk.

Information

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[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

The wood looks to be original finish and a very nice red as it is supposed to be. Hard to tell about the pipe wernch theroy. You might post some shots with the stock removed for better opinions on that. Try Sportsmans Guide or Cabelas for 7.7 ammo.

[303Nut]

That is a real nice T-99. I have an early 5th series (3 digits) that came from a vet's closet, but the mum is scrubbed and no dust cover but it did have a muzzle cover. Don Voigt's "The Japanese Type 99 Arisaka Rifle" mentions that the monopod was discontinued in the early 5th series. If the screws are still staked, I would not take the action out. Its hard to tell if it has been rebarreled, but in that condition I would think it's still 7.7.

[Bill Hollinger]

A grand slam with the bases loaded! Sweet!

[samnev]

Nice pickup. Try Graf and Sons for ammo.