Type 99 Last Ditch Rifle by Nagoya Arsenal…….(F 869)

WWII Last Ditch Type 99 rifle by Nagoya Arsenal

The Type 99 Rifles were built purely during the Second World War with production starting in 1939.  Early on in production some long rifles were produced in the new calibre but the majority of production was the new pattern Short rifle.  Experience had taught the Japanese that they were seriously out-gunned in knock down power against the 8 x 57 that the Chinese had principally used in the Sino-Japanese war and they needed something more powerful.  They already had a 7.7mm that they could work on which they used in some of their machine guns, this was further developed into a rifle round and adopted.  Most probably built after 1943 this rifle is starting to show some of the tell tale signs of “Last Ditch” type production.

The Type 99 was not dissimilar to the Type 38 already in service and after some modifications the transition was not too difficult to achieve.  The Type 99 is more of a purpose built battle rifle, in that some of the higher grade machine processes and materials were substituted for a more basic alternatives.  The milled trigger guard for instance was replaced with a sturdy bent piece of steel.  Other fittings on the rifle including the barrel bands and the butt-plate also received similar treatment.  The result was quicker and easier to produce in the long run – costing the Japanese war economy less in materials and man hours.  However, the end result was an extremely sturdy almost indestructible rifle with more deadly knockdown powers.  This example may not be as sturdy as the regular Type 99s as it looks to have some of the last ditch features.  They also chrome-plated the bore and the bolt face which to our benefit has increased the shooting life of the rifle.  It is difficult to tell exactly if this rifle has undergone the chrome plating – though the bolt face is fairly good.

This rifle is missing some of the normal tell-tale features of the Type 99 in that there is no provision for a mono-pod.  However this is an indication of what stage in the war this rifle was produced.  As time went on more intricacies were dropped to speed up production.  The rear sights are the most basic single aperture welded onto the top of the barrel.  The butt-plate is actually wooden itself !  The bolt handle is a crude affair of straight steel bar with a very basic knob and quite noticeably the safety mushroomed shaped back of the bolt is of the un-machined welded type and rather flat.  The main exposed portion of the barrel is crudely turned and has not benefited from a second or third pass on the lathe, leaving strong tooling marks and grooves along its length.  All of this though, narrows down its place in history and indicates what a desperate state the Japanese arsenals were getting into by this time.

Normal two piece stock with half length hand guard over the barrel.  The stock itself is beech and crudely finish as would be expected on a last ditch rifle.  There is one other facet which doesn’t quite fit but just may be the exception to the rule and that is, the presence of the machined groves along the action, for a dust cover.  A true last ditch rifle would not have these as they had long since abandoned the idea of the dust cover in production, but it could be that this receiver also sat in the factory for a long time before it was completed?  Single large stock cross bolt.  The stock fittings are crude with no provision for a monopod and welded fixings.  No provision for cleaning rod.  Plain fore-end with no finger grooves.  Minimal damage to stock surface showing a military life and an even sheen to the finish.  A last ditch tell-tale aspect to the stock is the hardwood butt-plate and single screw side mounted sling swivel.

The receiver ring shows    a completely ground Imperial Japanese Chrysanthemum and no Type 99 markings.  The lack of model markings is another last-ditch clue – they have not been removed!  A single gas escape hole in the crest of the receiver.  The outer action wall carries more markings; from left to right: “series mark / 25338 / Nagoya Arsenal mark / inspection mark ”  Matching bolt with last three numbers of serial number stamped into underside of bolt stub.  Bolt release catch to rear LHS of action – spring somewhat weak.  Welded type for-end cap with bayonet lug.  Front inverted “V” sight on a block.  Action mechanically sound and good four-groove bore.  A good example to complete an Axis rifle collection and a plain illustration of when Japan was really on the back foot but was still refusing to give up and face the inevitable.   Chambered in 7.7mm with a five-shot internal magazine.  The rifle is 44″ long.  The round barrel is 25.3/4″ long and the trigger pull is 12.3/4″ to centre.

Please ask for stock No’ F 869

  £ 695.

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