No Gas Port Hole??

[aquici]

Life long gun enthuist and 2nd Amendment supporter. I have recently found the joy of surplus collecting and boy, IS IT FUN. From the vast knowledge base of this forum (thanks for one to Claven2) I believe this rifle is a 7th Series Nagoya late war rifle. Though new to surplus collecting, this rifle hung in my father's work room my childhood and now resides with me. It's my understanding that all type 99s have a gas port drilled into the breach, however, this rifle has none. While the rifle exterior is in poor condition, the bore is surpisingly bright, with well defined rifling. This makes me think it is not a training rifle.

I'd appreciate the forum's feedback on why there is no port and if the $100+/- cost to procure a bolt safety knob, firing pin and pin spring would be worth it on a rifle in the condition. I'd like to get the parts, give it a thorough cleaning and put a few rounds through it with my father.

Information

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[jangle]

An obvious production error. You are correct in assuming that standard 99's have a single gas escape hole just below the stamped chrysanthemum (6.5 rifles have two holes). I have several rifles surrounding your serial number range and all have the gas port hole. On the cost to complete your bolt, I would not put $100 into a safety, firing pin and spring. Keep your eyes open and you should be able to find those parts or an entire bolt for half that cost.

By the way: Your rifle is a 25th series Kokura produced rifle made in mid/late 1945.

[aquici]

Many, many thanks jangle for the information and setting me straight on what I own!! The bolt matches the receiver, so I guess I'll be looking for a complete bolt assembly, and use the safety, pin and spring. Should I be looking for the more-plain, un knurled saftey? I'm thinking the lack of port could result in some high chamber pressures, that might be unsafe. I'd hate not to put a box of rounds through it, but now have second thoughts on taking it to the range.

[WarPig1976]

The hole or holes in the case of a T38 don't do anything under normal conditions. It's in the event of a case failure they become important as it/they release the gases that otherwise blow back into the action "not good" and the shooters face "worse".

Are you sure the rifling is well defined? The Japs used polygonal rifling which to the uninitiated appears to be a shot out barrel.

[bob q]

The gas port has nothing to do with chamber pressure when firing the rifle . It is there to release gas in a safe direction if a case head blows . With new good modern ammo that is unlikely .

[aadams22]

As others have pointed out, the gas port is just a safety feature and has no effect under normal operating circumstances

That said, your rifle was made when the Japanese were cutting every corner possible to get as many weapons as they could to the front lines, sometimes even being bombed in the process. A "last ditch" rifle as they are called. I would get the cheapest parts you can to get it in to working condition for display, but I personally wouldn't fire such a rifle. Is it safe to shoot? Most likely, but I wouldn't bet my life and pretty face on late war metallurgy and manufacturing. Its a cool, original piece of history as it sits

[aquici]

Warpig1976 - The rifling looks good. Image really doesn't show it properly, but its well defined. This is without a proper cleaning (will do soon). I need to ask, I assume that I'm looking for a non-knurled safety button, right??

[WarPig1976]

Yup, that's polygonal rifling. Hills and valleys vs lands and grooves. Just making sure you didn't have some out of left field hybrid.

Yes, you need the rough welded safety to be correct. Here's a link to a popular parts supplier. https://www.libertytreecollectors.co...?idCategory=83
FYI, the late war substitute standard aka last ditch rifles are every bit as serviceable as any other T99. Production steps where curtailed but not the quality of materials.

[aquici]

Thanks for more valuable information. I asked about the type of safety because many of the matched bolts (matching the reciever) of the "last ditch" rifles, that I have seen, AND that have the nicer rounded bolt handle, also have the knurled safety. Those that have the cruder squarish-looking bolt handles, have the cruder welded saftey.

Also, this rifle has sentimental value for me, so I wont ever sell it, but does the lack of a gas port add to collectability? Has any forum members ever seen this before?

[WarPig1976]

PM Marines55 he runs the Japanese collector web site, bet he'd know.
The Japanese Collector (Excellent Web Site)