Need help with my rifle...Arisaka of some sort I think.

[92FOX]

Hello everyone, I've got a Japanese rifle of some sort that I've had for 8 or 9 years or so...got it from my grandfather and I don't know too much about it other than it's Japanese and shoots the 7.7x58 (which is a pain to find and expensive when I do). I'm pretty sure its an Arisaka of some type, but I haven't seen any pictures of one like this with a shorter stock. I've attached some pictures of it and the markings in hopes that you all can help me with my questions. I have no intent of doing any modifications to this rifle at all...I'd just like to complete it if it is missing anything (which I'm sure it is...I only have the rifle itself). I already got a ton of help with my SKS and am loving the site so far.

Here is the overview of it


Here is the markings on top of the receiver


Here are the markings on the left side of the receiver




I couldn't find any more markings on this rifle at all, is there anywhere else I should look?

Information

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[Benton629]

Appears to be a sporterized Type 99 short rifle
31 Series
Toyo Kogyo Corporation
Made between 1939 and 1945 (probably 1940)
Visit the following sites to learn more.
http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/japanese_markings.html
Home - The Japanese Collector

[Aragorn243]

A little hard to tell what it is missing from your photos. The obvious issue is the stock and upper handguard. A bit hard to tell is the rear sight. It looks like the military sight has been replaced with a civilian sight, photos too small to be sure.

Missing the butt plate and the front sight because you cut them off in the photos. If the rear sight is civilian, they probably replaced the front sight as well.

It looks like the rear band does not have the lug for a monopod so unless that has been altered you would not need a monopod. You do need the front barrel band.

[jjjxlr8]

Here is a complete one for reference. Sorry the photos are poor due to bad indoor lighting.



Original rear sight - anti aircraft


Front sight


Monopod


Dustcover for bolt


Mum - most of the time they are ground off (or otherwise defaced)


Mine happens to be from the same Toyo Kogyo factory and series as yours, but made around '43.


Toyo Kogyo is the company know as Mazda today. They made these rifles during the war until much of the workforce was wiped out by Little Boy on 8-6-45.

[Bill Hollinger]

Wow, a grand slam! It's got it all! Does the dust cover match also?

[92FOX]

Mine has different sights for sure, no Mum (that's about the only other thing I knew for sure about it when I posted), and the stock must've been cut. The stock is the thing that was really confusing me when I tried to identify it (without using the guide on the markings). So it seems like it has been altered a lot...I know my grandpa got it in a trade from some guy years and years ago who used it for deer hunting and whatnot.

---------- Post added at 08:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:32 AM ----------

And thanks for all the pics JJJ and the help everyone else...

[jjjxlr8]

Yes, all of the pieces are matching. This one is a true vet bring back and still has the factory staked receiver screws. The condition is a little rough, including some scorch marks at the muzzle end (flame thrower?), but it is complete. Hopefully this will help 92FOX see what's missing from his sporterized rifle...

dustcover and bolt numbers...



---------- Post added at 09:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:38 AM ----------

Mine has different sights for sure, no Mum (that's about the only other thing I knew for sure about it when I posted), and the stock must've been cut. The stock is the thing that was really confusing me when I tried to identify it (without using the guide on the markings). So it seems like it has been altered a lot...I know my grandpa got it in a trade from some guy years and years ago who used it for deer hunting and whatnot.

---------- Post added at 08:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:32 AM ----------

And thanks for all the pics JJJ and the help everyone else...

Unfortunately, many of these old miltary rifles were 'sporterized' for various reasons. They used to be very cheap (like Mosin Nagants are today) and people didn't think twice about cutting them up and 'improving' them.

[Benton629]

That is a fine looking example of a complete and unmolested Type 99.

I fear these rifles are rapidly being parted out and sold on the internet daily.
I am picking up my first Arisaka today, a Type 38.

[Midmichigun]

Benton,
I agree, restore what you have, keep what you have... and if you don't have any... buy some. I fear the day of the CHEAP Arisaka is over.
JJJ,
Outstanding rifle! I love it! Where did you find it?
92,
There are parts available to restore your rifle, if you wish to. It will cost some money, and time if you wish to do it right. I am a sucker for hard luck rifles... but I "worry" that the parts that I purchased on the 'net, came from an unmolested rifle, via Bubba who is parting them our for $$.