Japanese Militaria at Castle-Thunder.com

reg3boz · Joined: Dec 12 2003 Posts: 3 Location: South Texas

I have a Toyo Kogyo 33 series model 99 that has no marks on the receiver. It is a transitional model 99 that should have the mum, but there are no signs that the chrysanthemum was ever on the receiver. The barrel step up looks normal and the receiver micrometer checks at 1.334 with no indication of grinding or machining. It is a high quality rifle for the 33 series and serial number of 79XXX. It is a matched rifle with chrome bore, chrome bolt face and smoothed barrel with high luster blue. Appears to be almost unfired, very little wear on moving parts.

Compared it to another Toyo Kogyo 33 series that I have, with a lower serial number of 60XXX. This transitional rifle has the chrysanthemum, no chrome bore or bolt face, and a rough machined barrel. The receiver micrometer measured 1.336. Stock and hardware are very similar for both rifles, except the "No Mum" one has no drain holes in the stock.

What the heck have I got? Smile

gwsiii · Joined: Aug 21 2003 Posts: 2240 Location: Hayden, AL

Hard to say, non chrome bores are prevalent from 46K on, as well as 'B' receivers (mum only). None reported, thus far with no evidence of a mum. There are a few chrome bolt faces, and bores in the 34th series. Drain holes in the stock is sort of odd for the otherone, almost all the stocks in the 33rd series are reported with no drain holes except in the 90k range a couple pop up. I'd like to get a data sheet and some pictures if you can manage. An oddball for sure. Toyo Kogyo 9's are sort of unique and if badly stamped could be mistaken for 7's. Are all the proof marks on the bolt and stock correct? Thanks for posting. Trey
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

reg3boz · Joined: Dec 12 2003 Posts: 3 Location: South Texas

Couldn't figure out how to send photos to this page, so I sent them to your email. Photos are of series / serial number and top of receiver. I was wrong when I said it was matched, even though the inspector stamps are correct, the bolt and safety has different numbers than the assembly or serial number. The stock has no marks that I can find. Look at the photos and see what you think. If they didn't make any that were unmarked, then the only other possibility is that receiver ring has been doctored. Question

gwsiii · Joined: Aug 21 2003 Posts: 2240 Location: Hayden, AL

Would you mind trying to send them again, I either didn't get them or inadvertantly deleted them, I'll post them when I get them. Thanks, Trey
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

gwsiii · Joined: Aug 21 2003 Posts: 2240 Location: Hayden, AL

Here are the pics that Reggie sent of his blank receiver.

In my opinion, the tip off is the lack of finish and the 'smooth spots' above the gas port. The 33rds that I've had, and have seen, have generally had very light mum stamps. It does look like someone tried to replicate the machining marks across the receiver, possibly in preparation for re-blueing, or they could be the result of the original grinding. Its a nice rifle. A good high end number for the series.
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

buster55 · Joined: Mar 24 2004 Posts: 2

i have a Japanese 99,7.7 ? long rifle..on top of the barrel it looks like something was filed off. below that it is stamped with 99 and something else. where it was filed off, i was told that is was the unit they served in. They say before capture they would file it off if they had time.any truth in this? 7.7 . this is all marked in Japanese language. Crossguard shape is straight rectangular..Pommel -- Birdshead - contoured... it is of the kokura arsenal 1935 - 1945 or Tokyo arsenal prior to 1936.. Buster55

Guest · Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2004 3:56 am Post subject:

Hey Buster; The "filed" spot was where the mum was, 16 petal, represented the emperor himself! So when surendered (debate still rages) either the Japanese (to save face) or our troops defaced the mum under orders. The troops sometimes did this prior to surrender in the field by "Xing" the mum with two crossed bayonet blows. Current consensus is that the "Xed" ones were done in the field and the gound ones at a point of surrender or storage place. BTW the other markes below that say "type (or model) and 99" It did not relate to any unit they served in. There is another site "Banzai.com" that has a lot more on the mum issue if you are interested.

Regards,
Nambu