Type 99 Arisaka Short Rifle………….(f 560) SOLD
Created on March 24th 2016
A Second World War Type 99 Rifle in 7.7mm
A World War Two survivor in the classic condition associated with these strong little rifles. “To the Victor go the Spoils .. .. ..” – And this rifle shows those tell-tale signs, namely, the ground chrysanthemum. The “Jury” is still out on the exact reason as to why this was done. When taken, many of these tough little rifles suffered the same fate. Also, the rifle shows the typical signs of a rifle used in combat by its lack of the noisy sliding dust cover, and the next-to useless monopod. It is known that soldiers in the field almost immediately “lost” these parts for obvious reasons. In the pictures you will see the bayonet; this is available as an accessory (at extra cost) However, the bayonet is marked with the stamp of production from the Kokura Arsenal – the same as the rifle. The rifle itself measures 44″ in overall length. The round blued barrel is 25.3/4″ long and the trigger pull measures 12.5/8″ At present the rifle weighs 3.5kg.
This Type 99 Arisaka is chambered in the 7.7mm caliber. It has the Mauser-type action, with straight handled bolt. It can take 5 rounds in the internal magazine and can be stripper-clip loaded. The rounds are pushed down from the top, with bolt open, the clip being held by guides on the front of the rear action bridge. There is a bolt removal catch mounted on the rear LHS of the action. Pulling this out faclitates the withdrawl of the bolt. The bolt itself, has a machined face in the form of a fine spiral pattern which adds purchase to the palm of the hand when twisting the safety to the On position. When the notch on the outside reaches the twelve oclock position; the safety is on. The reverse action is applied to release the safety.
The bolt has a chromed face which is correct for the Kokura Arsenal but, unfortunately, is mis-matched; in that it is from another rifle of the same type. The bolt has the number 623 on the root of the handle and the end of the extractor spring. It is important to note however that this bolt was UK proofed with this rifle. There are inspectors markings on the rearward facing flat of the bolt root. As mentioned above, the receiver has been “ground” and only the “Type 99” markings remain below the gas escape hole. On the LHS outer of the action is the serial number “6044.” To the left of the serial number is the series marking – 22nd and to the right the Arsenal and inspectors markings. The Arsenal marking is that of Kokura, in the form of the four stacked cannon balls. Kokura produced the Type 99 rifle from 1941 to 1945.
The rear sights have the “Anit-Aircraft” wings on either side which were supposed to give “lead” to the rifleman as he took aim at the diving heavily armed Hellcat he was going to shoot down! The notches and the numbers are designed to stand for the estimated speed of the target. – Good luck with that ! When the sight is laid down it has an aperture battle sight for use at relatively close ranges. In the upright position it has another aperture which works with the graduations on the ladder. The sight is graduated from 300 to 1500 meters. The front sight is a simple inverted”V” block with guards on either side. The mid band would have been the mounting point for the wire mono-pod.
The rifle has its full length cleaning rod stowed inside the fore-end which is retained by a spring catch. The butt-plate is the early steel cupped type. The stock is the usual lowgrade local timber most noteable for the fact that the butt is made of two pieces – to save on timber/ It has a side mounted rear sling swivle. The trigger plate and magazine floor plate underneath this type 99 are constructed of very thich steel, as is the trigger itself. The magazine floor plate release catch is within the trigger guard. Pulling this backwards allows the floor plate to flip open and “dump” rounds if required.
Finish is generally good all over. There are no unplesant patches of oxidization on the extrenal surfaces of the rifle and the finish is even all over – fading to grey. The bore is chrome lined and as a result in very clean bright condition. The wood-work is battered from service use, but not to a point that it detracts in any way from the rifle. The stock fore-end has two finger groves in it measuring 6.1/2″ in length. A feature peculiar to the Japanese rifles was the water drain holes they put into the stock. There is one on the RHS of the stock just behind the cross bolt and one just in-front of the magazine plate under the rifle. The designers knew that if trapped, the water would stay withing the rifle and probably produce more problems that you didn’t want to have to worry about in the field. A simple but effective solution. Altogether, a nice Short Type 99 rifle with a good bore, mechanicaly fine action – proofed and ready to go.
Stock No’ f 560
£ 820. SOLD
Bayonet with hooked quillion, same Arsenal. With scabbard £ 95.
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