Japanese Militaria at Castle-Thunder.com

[artyldr01]

Good evening and happy new year!

I acquired a gorgeous Type 99, Toyo Kogyo Series 35 rifle. This is conceivably a survivor of the Hiroshima attack at SN 56550 which, as best as I an estimate puts it in August, just days prior to that fateful day. The only parts with serial number markings are the receiver, bolt handle and extractor. The stock hasn't been messed with at all. It is a two-piece with short handguard and has a small inspector mark on the heel of the stock. The bolt has the correct plum knob and welded safety knob. The mum is un-ground and slightly off center, like others I have seen in this series. The rifle looks completely untouched and very high quality for a "substitute" rifle as I understand is the case for Toyo Kogyo rifles.

It came with a bayonet which is completely unmarked. My initial research suggests it is a training bayonet. I couldn't be happier.

I spoke to the gentleman I got it from. He said it was covered in cosmoline and that he used mineral spirits and Murphy's Oil soap only to clean it. I don't know what that would do to the originality of the finish. Does it remove it completely, modify it, or is it minimal impact? With this information, what does that tell you about how close this is to original coloring and what your beliefs and recommendations are as to my suggested actions (leave it as is or some degree of "restoration?" It sounds "minimally invasive" to me, or am I wrong?

I am still learning to post photos here but it is posted on other forums recently.

It is hard to fathom this rifle may have been sitting in the warehouse just miles away when the Enola Gay changed life for ever.

[gwsiii]

looks nice, toyo kogyo produced stocks with a bit darker redder, even thicker messier finish (think bits of dirt/such in the finish). With out holding it and seeing it in person, I'd be hard pressed to say original wood finish. But, I wouldn't do anything to it until I knew for sure. He could have cleaned it with light steel wool or something abrasive, or it could be right as rain. Just hard to say from pictures. Please send me a datasheet when you get a chance, 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!

[artyldr01]

Thanks for the input. I'll knock out a Data sheet and send it this weekend!