What should I be looking for on a Arisaka Type 99?

[usabaker]

I found a Arisaka Type 99 for sale for $600.00 asking, Condition wise it in excellent condition 90% or better blue, has the imperil chrysanthemum on the receiver and bolt end. I could not see any marking on the bolt besides that chrysanthemum on the back. Wood is excellent as well. The owner said that it was a WWII bring back off Okinawa, I ask if it had the paperwork and the response of course was no.

I've never looked at Japanese rifles and could use some help in what to look for and the things to look out for. Any pricing info would help too.

Thank in advance, Bill

[dodge15]

Is the mum defaced in any way?

[usabaker]

Is the mum defaced in any way?

Nope! Deep and Perfect not even a scratch

[usabaker]

It also has the buttplate that is screwed on, not nailed and the oblong bolt handle rather than the cylindrical, It is also missing the dust cover

[Low & Slow]

Long rifle or short? Anti-aircraft sight wings still on? Sling still around?

[usabaker]

Long rifle or short? Anti-aircraft sight wings still on? Sling still around?

Its about the same length as a Yugoslav M48 Mauser (three of them are next to it), No Sling, and I didn't notice the Aircraft sights; since I didn't know anything about them I didn't know to look for them.

[rambo46]

Bill,

The interest in Arisaka rifles have increased in the past two or three years so much and the prices have risen too. Here in the northeast, I've seen type 99"s with ground mums and mismatched bolts go in the low $500 range and few had cleaning rods.
Check again for a 3 digit number on the underside of the bolt handle where it meets the bolt body. This should match the serial number. The same 3 numbers should show up on the bayonet lug. See if the rifle has a cleaning rod and, if it does, remove it to see if it is original, not repro. As was already asked, the AA sights are important. The bore on most all are good.
If all these things check out and you really want a nice Arisaka then the asking price isn't off the mark.

[72 usmc]

With any Arasaka you want to check the stock for a correct finish, this is a huge factor many have been refinished. You want original, not redone. Make sure the bolt matches. Make sure an original cleaning rod is present, most have reproductions. I like early rifles with a chrome lined bore. It is always nice if the dust cover matches,if it had a dust cover. Check the maker and rarity chart. Maker, stock finish, & matching bolt are a big factor in price. Do you want a collector or shooter? Does the rifle have an original sling or reproduction? Milsurps has a fantastic Knowledge Library with tons of photos showing the best examples. Check out the Japanese section see
https://www.milsurps.com/content.php...-by-Toyo-Kogyo)

There is a big difference in price for a shooter with a refinished stock, fake cleaning rod, ground mum, and mismatched bolt in comparison to an intact bring back.


For prices all collectors of surplus firearms should have a copy of the Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: the collectors price and reference guide, 9th new edition by Phillip Peterson. If you are new to surplus firearms check out my post on another forum :
Buying first surplus rifle, what to look for - Surplus Rifle Forum - www.surplusrifleforum.com

Yep, Type 99s can go at Wi gun shows as dog shooters at $150 to intact collectables at around $800-900. Prices depend on the markings & how rare it is, the stock finish, the matching numbers and parts, the original $200-250 sling, an original cleaning rod, mum intact, bore & chamber condition. Is it a USMC bring back with papers and provenience?
An average shooter in WI with maybe a refinished stock, matching bolt, no dust cover, no cleaning rod or a fake rod with an intact mum could be found around $250-350. Prices be nuts at this time. Prices are also regional dependent.
Best advice look at examples of bring backs and get a feel for a correct finish to the wood and metal. Bring a print out of makers marks so you will know the maker and series, Print out the rarity chart. Then look at its attributes. Go to a library and read up on Arasaka rifles. Almost all have a copy of Military Rifles of Japan by Fred Honeycutt.
Always study this forums Knowledge library. It is beyond fantastic .

Also check out this page and print it out for reference.
https://oldmilitarymarkings.com/japanese_markings.html

I also found this post great on this forum:
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=42450

Lets say it is a bring back from Okinawa, It most likely will have all matching wood and metal. The bolt may not match the rifle, but it then should match itself. Most bring backs have matching bolts and a sling that I found years ago. A true bring back complete , but no papers can go above $1000. Some refinished or recoated the stock as a bring back- this is bad news for value. If the rifle is still in the box it was shipped home in its priceless. I like damaged rifles with flame burns or bullet damage. be sure to look for the numbers, the numbers on the bolt handle, extractor, firing pin, & safety knob stem should be the same as the last one to three digits of the rifle serial number. I agree with the above poster, depending on its condition especially the stock finish and cartouches, the rarity value of some models, the price might be a fair one to a steal.
for data sheets as check off hints or tons of information see Banzai web page : BANZAI

[usabaker]

The interest in Arisaka rifles have increased in the past two or three years so much and the prices have risen too. Here in the northeast, I've seen type 99"s with ground mums and mismatched bolts go in the low $500 range and few had cleaning rods.
Check again for a 3 digit number on the underside of the bolt handle where it meets the bolt body. This should match the serial number. The same 3 numbers should show up on the bayonet lug. See if the rifle has a cleaning rod and, if it does, remove it to see if it is original, not repro. As was already asked, the AA sights are important. The bore on most all are good.
If all these things check out and you really want a nice Arisaka then the asking price isn't off the mark.

Rambo46, Thank you for the help, looking at ARMSLIST and GunBroker seem to confirm your selling price assessment. Just need to figure out how to tell an organic vs. repo cleaning rod.

[usabaker]

With any Arasaka you want to check the stock for a correct finish, this is a huge factor many have been refinished. You want original, not redone. Make sure the bolt matches. Make sure an original cleaning rod is present, most have reproductions.

72 USMC, Thank you for all the information! I have taken a great deal of notes and will go take a second informed look at the rifle today if it's still there; from what I have read here I may have a winner. The only question I have now, is how can you tell an if what there is the original cleaning rod? I did read about it but there but the only thing I found was this picture, I'm guessing it would be the shape of the two lugs the orgainl lugs looks to have a gentle, smoother, and longer end taper.

Thank you again for the help.