Japanese Type 99 Arisaka Short Rifle by Nagoya Arsenal…..(f 602) …SOLD

.One of the main Japanese Battle Rifles of the Second World War

Serial number 72048 which roughly equates to the first or second quarter of 1944.  The serial number is marked on the LHS of the outer action wall just in front of the makers mark for Nagoya Arsenal. Chambered in 7.7mm with a five shot internal magazine and Mauser type action, the only main difference being the safety catch device to the rear of the bolt.

The top of the breech is beautifully marked with a complete and clear Chrysanthemum. The Japanese markings for Type 99 marked are horizontally across the top of the breech beneath the Chrysanthemum.  Between the two is the gas escape hole.  The receiver and barrel have started to lose their finish and have become mildly grey with most wear to the high edges.  A degree of plumb brown has crept in, the whole looking correct for its age with the bolt being the only exception as it is non-matching and probably from a much less used rifle, as the blacking is stronger.

The dust cover and the mono-pod have both been removed by their original users.  This is common because the cover was noisy in the field and the mono-pod highly impractical.  The Wings of the anti-aircraft sight have also suffered the same fate.

This is the short rifle version of the Type 99 being 44.1/4″ in overall length.  The round blued barrel is a nominal 25.1/2″ long with chrome plated bore.  The trigger pull is 12.1/2″ to center.  The type 99 rifle is stocked to within 4″ of its entire length with a separate single piece hand-guard over the barrel.  The front sight is a single inverted V with side-guards.  The rear sights consist of a simple aperture sight and a ladder sight graduated from 250 to 1500.

The bolt has a chrome face.  Straight arm with oval knob.  The root of the bolt handle is marked with the last three numbers of a serial number “172”, as is the rear end of the extractor spring.  There are factory proofs on the rear of the handle.   The safety catch consists of a large circular knurled knob which is notched at the top to indicate it being in the safe position.  The knurling is quite impressive and provides grip to the palm of the hand in operation.  The work that has been carried out on this component borders on the “Artistic.”  Bolt release catch is as Mauser, to the rear LHS of the action.

 The stock is made of a local timber called “Urushi” the butt part being constructed of two pieces dovetailed together longitudinally.  To help with grip and accuracy the fore end is machined with 6.1/2″ finger groves on either side. The stock being of not particularly hard wood shows the normal bruising and denting associated with use in the field.  Overall however, time has allowed the settlement of a respectable shine.  There are no splits or shakes. Directly in front of the magazine is a small hole drilled upwards, through the stock, this is the water drain hole.  The butt plate is a blued steel cupped type with an upper tang and has a pleasing plum-brown patina to it.  The sling is side mounted with a swivel on the mid band and a swivel mounted on the side of the butt at the rear.   Cosmetically, this rifle is  in good order and would add to any military rifle collection.  The action is mechanically fine.  The bore being chromed is good and is complete without any interruptions or  pitting.  It might at first be assessed as a little soft but, this does show usage, and do you want a rifle that sat in store or a rifle that was actually at the sharp end of the conflict.  There is the slightest disruption of surface in the chamber toward the top left quadrant which does not look serious.

Altogether a good Type 99  Arisaka with its Chrysanthemum intact,  proofed in Birmingham in 2015.

Stock No’  f 602

£ 775….SOLD

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