I've been looking at this Type 99 Arisaka for pretty close to a year now, down at one of the local shops. I'd go in and look it over ever few months but always handed it back and continued my search for Mosins. Well, they finally started dropping the price on it so I became more and more interested. I ordered a book or two on the Arisakas and started doing some more research about them. There is still way more that I don't know but heck, there's still plenty that I'm learning about Mosins as well! I don't plan on collecting these like I have been doing with the Russian stuff but maybe two pieces. One early war piece that's in pristine condition and one like this, a later "Last Ditch" type rifle. Like I mentioned, I don't know tons about these so if I get anything wrong, please correct me!
The series, serial number and arsenal for this particular Type 99 Arisaka. This one is a Tokyo Juki Kogyo Series 37 (Subcontracted from Kokura). From what I understand, the Series 37 was the final run of rifles for the arsenal and around 57,000 rifles were produced. As you can see, this rifle would have been very close to the end of the final run.
The right side of the rifle.
The left side of the rifle.
Right side of the front barrel band area. The first type of band would have been secured with three screws, one up front, and two in the back (one on each side). This one is a later production with only two screws.
Later war front sight without the protective ears.
Left side of the front barrel band area.
Rear band retainer. (Left side)
The rear sight is later war / transitional. It no longer has the anti-aircraft wings on it.
Rear band retainer (Right Side)
The rear barrel band holds together (and hides) the two piece stock. The fore-end of this one is a separate piece from the rest of the stock. What is interesting is that at some point it was apparently dove tailed together though that is now broken. I haven't read anywhere that they were joined like this but then again, I don't know a ton about these either. The barrel band does a good job of holding it all in place, surprisingly so.
The chrysanthimum on the receiver. Typically the mum would have been ground off or defaced before beign allowed out of Japan.
The right side of the butt stock.
Wood butt plate held in place with three small nails. Originally the butt plate would have been metal but as the war went on and resources became scarcer, wood was used. Later production dropped from using three nails to only using two.
Left side of the butt stock. This has the simplified single screw rear sling swivel.
The bolt release.
What's interesting is that the bolt safety knob is the knurled type. Considering how late production this rifle is, I wouldn't have expected that nice piece of fit and finish.
bolt fence
The two serial numbers that I found on the bolt do both match the rifle serial number. Sorry for the flurry photo on this one..
Rifle on the fence.
Should be "fixed now. Photobucket said I exceeded the maximum monthly bandwidth for the free account. I popped up $2 for the month and got some more. Jeez..
