Japanese Militaria at Castle-Thunder.com

[Garandshtr]

I'm often browing through a couple of auction sites for interesting (to me) stuff, and I found something puzzling (to me). Forgive my ignorance, but what does an overstamped mum indicate? In this case, it looks like 3 circles stamped on top of the mum, which sort of reminds me of the Kokura arsenal stamp, but it's clearly 3 circles, rather than a single symbol, based on how it is spaced over the mum. "I gots to know!" (if you'll forgive the Dirty Harry quote).
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Still trying to learn what I can, mainly about the Type 99 and Type 38. I have more curiosity than time, and more time than money.

[gwsiii]

The overstamp was a quick way and easily recognizable way to separate active Military (Army) service weapons (full mum) from non-service weapons (over-struck mums) pulled from service for sale to foreign countries or issue to non-active Military (school, rotc, veterans organizations, other govt entities, etc...). The concentric marked receivers have similar meaning but were for a specific entity, we think. Usually associated with Kempei Tai, but I'm not so sure that is entirely true. I think more like 2nd Gov't Bureau or something like that. Its really hard to say for sure until righteous documentation surfaces.
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

[Garandshtr]

Thanks Trey! As usual, this leads to another. I've read that those rifles pulled from service were "2nd class" arms, or something like that. Did those pulled have a problem, or were they wearing out from use?
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Still trying to learn what I can, mainly about the Type 99 and Type 38. I have more curiosity than time, and more time than money.

[gwsiii]

I wouldn't call them second class arms, they were just 'old', it was easier to get a new one out of storage than rework an older one, again, I expect. At the time, 2nd class, probably just meant not quite up to snuff, 'sparkly' or rough bore, something we might not even notice. Its sort of like the US designating 97 trenchguns as antiquated and obsolete. I'll put my 97 up against just about anything else when it comes right down to it, and its only 88+ years old or so....
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

[Garandshtr]

Thanks a lot. That does help. Now, if only you can help me remember this stuff!
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Still trying to learn what I can, mainly about the Type 99 and Type 38. I have more curiosity than time, and more time than money.

[gwsiii]

I'll be more than glad to remind you a couple times, after that though, I tend to get a little 'feminine' ....and I don't mean that in a good way.....
_________________
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!