Type 99 Arisaka Short Rifle……………………………..(f 705) SOLD
Created on July 5th 2018
Type 99 Arisaka Bolt Action Short Rifle
One of the standard Infantry Rifles for the Imperial Japanese Army in World War Two. This is about as bare bones an example as you can get, it has lost some of the accessories that it came out of the factory equipped with. Serial number 52293 marked on the outside of the action wall along with arsenal markings. The action is basically a strongly built Mauser action. A straight bolt arm with elongated bolt head. Chambered in the 7.7mm cartridge with a five shot staggered internal magazine. The type 99 was not equipped with a cut-off device. The safety is a most noticeable departure from the normal Mauser flag safety system in that they went for a circular decorated domed end cap. Later last-ditch rifles lost the intricate machine patterns that are on this example. The patterns enable the palm of the hand to be used to rotate the cap to activate the safety.
Fully stocked in a local timber which was chosen for its abundance rather than its resilient properties. The laquer used to seal the stock was a better choice in providing protection than the timber itself. That lacquer if disturbed by sanding etc it can act as an irritant. The producers of the stock were clever in that they chose to make the main portion of the stock (the lower) from two pieces of timber which were jointed together by a dove-tail joint which runs longways up the butt-stock. This enabled a more efficient use of the timber supplies they were working with and less wastage per board. The over barrel hand-guard is one piece. The design of the stock employs a semi-pistol grip profile and has finger groves running up the fore-end on both sides. Because of the wet conditions the Japanese knew they would encounter, they employed two drainage holes in the stock to aid water run-off. This would also help remove water from between the rifle and stock. Consequently, there is one hole on the RHS beside the receiver ring and one on the underside, just in front of the trigger plate and magazine floor plate assembly.
This Type 99 is one of the “short rifles” as opposed to the full length version and would have been used by special troops or cavalry. The type 99 was put into service in 1939. This example is 44″ in overall length. The round barrel is 25.1/2″ long and the trigger pull length is 12.1/2″ to the centre of the cupped steel butt-plate. The finger grooves on either side of the fore-end run for approx’ 6.1/2″. Originally this rifle when issued was fitted with a dust cover which would move with the bolt but protect the internals from excessive quantities of dust and or water. This is missing. Also absent s the wire monopod which fixes to the middle band. However, one item that has not been disposed of is the complete rear sight, including the anti-aircraft arms. These rifles are often encountered without the fold out arms designed for this purpose. In that respect this rifle is intact.
Stowed under the fore-end of the rifle is the full length cleaning rod. This is released by depressing a small square button just behind and underneath the fore-end cap. The markings on the action wall can be translated ( but not by me) My best is; “Series marking / 52293 / Tokyo/Kokura / two other smaller stampings ?” The top of the breech has the Imperial Emperor’s Chrysanthemum which is partially ground and then underneath the characters for Type 99. There is a single gas escape hole between the chrysanthemum and Japanese characters. The bolt stub is marked but nonmatching to the action. (This rifle passed CIP proof with this bolt) The is a solitary character on the underside of the butt-stock. The same character appears on the underside of the bolt knob.
Action is mechanically fine and the bore is clean with strong rifling as it is one of the chromium lined variety. Side mounted sling swivels. A very shoot-able example of a WW II Japanese rifle and an interesting rifle to set aside others in any military long arm collection.
Just ask for Stock No’ f 705
£ 725. SOLD
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