Japanese Militaria at Castle-Thunder.com

[Kavan]

I have recently acquired a type 99 long rifle and have enjoyed getting up to speed on the details of the manufacture and history. Mine appears to be a early model with the aircraft sights, monopod, and cleaning rod. It is from the Nagoya Arsenal but the series number is a little sideways. Hard to see, to me it could be a series 1 or 7. At what date the series 7 come out ? Did they still have the fancy trappings at that time.

The number 384 is also stamped on the bottom of the bayonet stud. I haven't read anything in the literature on what this may refer to, perhaps an inspectors mark ?

[gwsiii]

All early features, Nagoya arsenal, and series mark would be a first series 99 Short rifle. The marks are quite different, once you've gotten familiar with them, but it is easy to get them confused starting off. The number on the back of the bayonet lug should match the last 3 digits of the serial number on Nagoya rifles. Trey
_________________
Subscribe to BANZAI!
Fill out a Japanese Rifle Datasheet.
I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

[Kavan]

Thanks Trey.

The numbers do match. I must have measured the entire bolt assembly and not just the barrel length. It does appear by that standard (26 inches") to be the short rifle.

For what military or production purpose would the value be of stamping the bayonet stud with the last three serial numbers ?

[gwsiii]

Even though they were mass produced, there was still a little bit of hand fitting required to ensure a tight fit on the completed rifles. So once fitted, and assembled, smaller parts were numbered prior to finishing to be sure that the final assembly would go smoother with the pre-matched parts. Don't know if you've tried replacing front band or rear band screws, but its not always as simple as just getting another screw and putting it in. You have alignment issues if you're swapping out handguards, stocks, or other parts. Trey
_________________
Subscribe to BANZAI!
Fill out a Japanese Rifle Datasheet.
I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

[Kavan]

I have filled out the data sheet and it appears that every question gets the A code or the first selection expect for the chrome issue and I don't believe anything has chrome.

What is the quality scale of the early Nagoya compared to the later war versions or compared to other arsenals.

This weapon was taken in the field on Guam 1944 by my uncle.

[gwsiii]

Everything will be 'A', except for recoil bolt 'D' until 50k, and rear band 'B' throughout. Very early you have a chance of a 'D' rear swivel. You should have a chrome bore as well. It will be a 'bright' ring around the muzzle. Early 99 quality at Nagoya is very nice, Toyo Kogyo probably had the prettiest finish at start of production, but Nagoya produced more early rifles with nice finish. You'd have to see minty examples of each arsenal to really decide though. Appreciate the datasheet, every little bit helps. Trey
_________________
Subscribe to BANZAI!
Fill out a Japanese Rifle Datasheet.
I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

[Kavan]

I see the chrome barrel now. #9 Recoil bolt still looks to me like picture A except with a solid pin in the middle. The size proportions match better.

What do we know about the aircraft sight. Is there a training manual published in English that explains how this works. Can't imagine it being to effective against a fast high flying fighter plane. Kind of like going dove or quail hunting with a 22. Fun shooting but likely not much to show for dinner that evening.

[gwsiii]

I've got a bunch of stuff to try and do tonight, I'll try and add the 'translation' to the list. I've got a copy of the manual for the Type 99 Conversions to .30-06 for the Korean (U.S. Cal .30 marked guns) conversions. I think it is pretty much a straight translation of the original Japanese 99 manual in most parts. I'll try and remember to enter the passage pertaining to a/a sights here later on. What I remember, it was for firing at 600 meters, each bottom notch represents the lead at airspeed of xxx (2) and xxx (3), line up the sights normally for 600 meters and when the plane entered the bottom notch for estimated air speed, start shooting. This was more of a squad thing several troops firing in salvo rather than an individual 1 shot 1 kill sort of thing. A novel idea, I've never heard any accounts of it working, but it must have in theory for them to use that sight through 6 1/2 series' at Nagoya. Trey
_________________
Subscribe to BANZAI!
Fill out a Japanese Rifle Datasheet.
I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

[Kavan]

If their generals are like our generals they tend to start to fight the current war like the last one or what was already in the books at the academy.

Under your scenario that type of squad firing tactic would have been effective against slow flying WW1 aircraft at the end of 1920.

thanks for all the details.