My "new" Type 99

[JeffRoy]

So here is my first foray into Japanese weapons. I really know next to nothing about these, but the unground mum and condition of the bayonet and scabbard interested me. Any thoughts?

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...r/DSCF3445.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...r/DSCF3446.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...r/DSCF3450.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...r/DSCF3449.jpg

[psteinmayer]

Pretty nice looking 99! What is the Arsenal and Series? To find this information, visit the following web page: http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/japanese_markings.html ... it's a pretty informative page for Japanese Weapons.

[JeffRoy]

Thanks psteinmayer, it's a series 22 from Kokura arsenal as best as I can tell. It has a little corrosion on it and the stock really has that used look, but I'm happy. The Garands and carbines in the house don't like it so much I'm thinking though. Old enemies....

[Deano41]

The Kokura, series 22 should have a chrome lined bore. The series 22 was made from Oct. '42 to June '43. Is the bolt matching? (last three of the receiver on the bolt root. By the way, the front sight guard was high for the first part of the series, then changed to the lower guard late in the 22 series. (this will make a difference whether you can remove the front band or not.)
The pictures don't show much of the stock. If it hasn't been sanded and still has the original finish, leave it that way.

[JeffRoy]

I just looked and the bolt is mismatched. Should I worry about headspace?

[Deano41]

There are two trains of thought on the headspace issue. One is GASP!! The other is that due to ammo issues, Japanese rifles were more tolerant of chamber and headspace. I would think if the bolt didn't rattle around with an empty case in the chamber, it would probably be OK. To be safe, if might not hurt to have a smith check it out.

[psteinmayer]

I agree... As tollerant as they are with head space, the 7.7x58 is a very powerful round... If the bolt is rattling around, you could run into problems with leakage, or worse! I'm interested to know if the numbers on the extractor and bolt handle match? If not, then it might be a total hodge podge job, and even more susceptible to problems!

[Deano41]

Most bolts will match unto themselves. The most accepted explanation is the Navy made the GIs remove the bolts for the voyage home. They were tossed into boxes by caliber, then passed back out at random when they returned stateside. Most guys were just glad to be home, and checking for matching numbers was the least of their concerns.

[JeffRoy]

The numbers on the bolt all match. That is a pretty plausible explanation Dean, I'm going to run with it.

[psteinmayer]

Agreed!

Hopefully, you won't have to deal with a duffle cut stock, like I am, LOL