Type 99 Short Rifle by Nagoya Arsenal…………(F 872)
Created on January 22nd 2021
Type 99 Arisaka Short 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.
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. They also chrome-plated the bore and the bolt face which to our benefit has increased the shooting life of the rifle.
Great attention was paid to the sights and fold down arms were added to give lead in taking aim at aircraft. All high ingenious but not much more than a moral booster really when it comes to shooting down a diving US Hellcat or some other heavily gunned attacking aircraft. Also a wire monopod was added to give stability when shooting prone or upon some other cover. Personally, I have used that attachment and I can seen the principal but, I would not like to try to push my way through dense jungle with such an attachment in place. One feels that one might emerge dragging the whole shrubbery with you and make as much noise as an elephant reversing out of the same. You can imagine why most of the finicky things are missing!
This rifle carries the serial number “54633” and the Nagoya Kokura Army Arsenal mark. Adjacent on the LHS of the serial number is the 6th series mark. The crest of the receiver has no trace intact Imperial Chrysanthemum, if removed it has been done in a sympathetic manner. In the normal position but reading horizontally are the markings for model which reads “Type 99” in Japanese. Bolt cover missing. Straight arm bolt with cylindrical bolt knob. The serial numerals “633” are stamped on the underside of the bolt stub and the extractor, indicating a matching bolt. Typical round cocking piece to the Mauser-type bolt. The “mushroom” head safety has an elaborate concentric pattern to its face to aid grip in slippery conditions and a notch safety indicator. The bolt cocks on closing and rests at the ten-o’clock position when Ready and when turned to the twelve o’clock position when Safe. The bolt is also locked when safe. The bolt will hold open when the magazine is empty. Bolt release to LHS rear of action. The whole surface of the action and bolt is mottled and the blueing has changed to a dark plumb brown all over. The exposed portion of the barrel between the nose-cap and the fore-sight block has the same colour about it. Single gas escape hole to the top of the receiver ring.
Two piece stock with full length hand guard over the barrel. Rear sight anti-aircraft wings removed. The rear sight is graduated from 300 to 1500 meters. The battle sight is an aperture type when the sight is “laid down”. Inverted “V” type front sight with protective ears. Steel nose cap to the for-end incorporates a bayonet lug under and it is once again, marked with the last three digits of the serial number. No provision for Monopod indicating later production. Cupped steel butt-plate and side mounted sling swivels. Finger grooved for-end. Stock in good condition with denting all over showing an active military life otherwise good. Water drainage holes in underside of stock and to RHS adjacent to action. Some corrosion to trigger guard and magazine floor plate. It brings shudders to the spine to imagine this rifle lain in wait, in the sopping wet jungle, muzzle pointing out of the long grass rain pouring down…. waiting for an unfortunate Allied soldier to wander into its deadly sights.
The rifle measures 44.1/4″ in overall length. The round blued barrel is 25.3/4″ long and the trigger Pull is 12.5/8″ to centre. Four-grove bore with un-interrupted RH twist rifling. Bolt face clean. Fresh CIP proofs applied 2020.
Stock No F 872
£ 785.
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