I ended up with a no series Type 44 still in the shipping crate, covered in the grease the GI coated it in when he shipped it home to Pennsylvania. It is exactly as I bought it, with the bayonet housing detached, but the screws still safely screwed into it. Everything is absolutely covered in cosmoline, including the bayonet.
The crate is from "T/4 Samuel A. Kershner" to "Mrs. S. A. Kershner" in Blandon, PA. There is a card on the front of the box (which is missing the lid unfortunately) under a piece of plastic giving Mr. Kershner permission to ship the rifle home. Unfortunately the plastic has yellowed over the years and I can't quite read the name or exactly what it says on it. I'll look more closely when I get time.
The rifle itself isn't anything too special. A ground much and mismatched bolt, dust cover, and floor plate. Doesn't appear to have gone through a refurb as it still has some wear and tear on it. Nothing too awful it seems though. The cleaning rods were both in the butt stock, which was a very nice surprise when I was looking during the preview.
At the bottom of the crate was a nice Type 44 style sling. Seems in good condition, but I'm going to just leave it detached from the rifle for the moment.
Also came with a nice Type 30 bayonet still in the cosmoline as well. Looks to be in nice shape. I'll probably leave that one in the grease and clean up the Type 44 itself when I get time.
Overall I am very excited for this find as I paid about $800 after tax and buyers fee. The hammer price for the box set was $650, but I had to buy the bayonet separately from the set, which was an extra $60. I haven't seen too many Type 44's in crates so I am very excited to add this to the collection.
Sorry about the lesser quality of the photos, but I had to take them inside due to the weather.
as it gets.
