Japanese Militaria at Castle-Thunder.com

Garandshtr · Joined: Dec 27 2007 Posts: 109 Location: Palm Harbor, FL

As I am still new here, let me ask another newbie question.
What does a "duffle cut" look like? I understand that it was some field modification to permit a rifle to fit into a serviceman's duffle bag. Does anyone have a picture of one?
Or direct me to a picture will work, too.
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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 · Joined: Aug 21 2003 Posts: 2240 Location: Hayden, AL

A duffel cut was basically cutting the lower part of the stock, underneath the rear barrel band so the stock would fit in to a duffle bag. On early guns with screwed on front barrel bands (A,B,C types) that is just what it is. On most later guns with pinned front bands (D and E types) it isn't a duffle cut, but a cut that allows for ease of assemby during normal production since the front barrel band is permanently fixed in place. On most of the later guns the cut is wide enough that the forestock rattles or wiggles between the front band, and rear portion of the stock, with the barrel band keeping it from falling out and separating completely. Sometimes a shim is found in place to cut down on the rattling, whether this was done during production, in the field, or at some point after being souvenired out, is open to discussion. I don't have a handy picture of a true barracks cut on an early Japanese rifle, but I have some barracks (duffel) cut stocks at home, and some later rifles with proper separate forestocks but similar to a barracks cut. Will post a picture tonight if someone else doesn't beat me to it. Riceone has an excellent process for restoring duffle cut stocks, if anyone needs one fixed, contact him, and he can probably explain exactly how he does it. Trey
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Garandshtr · Joined: Dec 27 2007 Posts: 109 Location: Palm Harbor, FL

No one has taken the plunge yet! How about a pic of a repaired cut? Maybe that will help me figure it out.
Dog-gone mail is too slow! Still waiting for the MRoJ to arrive! Any pics in there?
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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 · Joined: Aug 21 2003 Posts: 2240 Location: Hayden, AL

I knew I forgot something, had pc troubles all weekend, wasn't able to get back online until yesterday. Trey
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Hayabusa · Joined: Jan 04 2008 Posts: 3

I just stumbled on to this site and read the post about "duffle cuts". I just picked up an early T38 with a duffle cut so I thought I would post a picture of the actual cut.

Gary

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

Welcome to the forum! That's one way I haven't seen before, but it would be easier to 'fix' and doesn't look like it interferes with the working of the rear band spring. There is a lot of finish on the barrel, that looks to be a pretty one. I think I have a duffle cut 44 carbine stock and a 99 stock at home, I'll try to get pictures tonight for sure. I had two other stocks, but there were sent to Riceone for 'fixing'. Thanks for posting. Trey
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Hayabusa · Joined: Jan 04 2008 Posts: 3

Trey, thanks for the welcome. I think this cut was done with some thought in mind. It looks great and as you mentioned, it doesn't interfere with the spring so I’ve decided not to repair it. In my mind, it’s a piece of history in itself. That’s what the G.I. did to bring it home so I’ll leave it as is.

The rifle is in great condition and was manufactured at the Koishikawa arsenal. The serial number is 860XXX and it has the 6 groove rifling, correct large tang safety, etc. The mum is perfect and it even came with a dust cover so it was a very nice find and a good addition to my collection.

Gary

Garandshtr · Joined: Dec 27 2007 Posts: 109 Location: Palm Harbor, FL

Thanks Gary!
That's an interesting picture. But, it only leads me to my next question. How did this cut help anything? What is being "resized" to fit into a duffle? Obviously, the barrel is still long enough to stick out, so I don't see how this cut will help.

Still trying to get a handle on this whole process!

Mark
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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.

Garandshtr · Joined: Dec 27 2007 Posts: 109 Location: Palm Harbor, FL

Gary,
Let me add my welcome also! (For what it's worth. I'm very much a newbie here and to the Arisaka.)

Mark
_________________
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.

Hayabusa · Joined: Jan 04 2008 Posts: 3

Mark, thank you for the welcome! To answer your question, the "cut" shortens the overall length of the stock by about 12 inches. If you remove the action/barrel assembly from the stock for shipping, you will have 2 long pieces that will be about the same length. These 2 pieces will be shorter than if you removed the action from the stock but did not "cut" the stock.

Gary

Garandshtr · Joined: Dec 27 2007 Posts: 109 Location: Palm Harbor, FL

Excellent! Thanks for explaining this. It had me puzzled. Clearly I wasn't thinking that the typical soldier would have the tools to disassemble the rifle even this far!

Makes more sense now.

thanks again,
Mark
_________________
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.

riceone · Joined: Aug 22 2003 Posts: 86 Location: Mississippi Delta

Trey, I'll help you out. First picture is a duffle cut stock that I am in the process of putting back together with brass pins and epoxy.

In this picture you can see how the holes are drilled to match on each side. The epoxy is put in the holes and on each end of the stock and pressed together. I put a used barrel in the stock and tape the stock to the barrel till it dries - next day.

This is the jig I use to get the alignment on the holes for the pins.

This is what a repaired stock looks like. It will break someplace else now.

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

Roy, thanks, that's what I was looking for! All you need to take one apart is a screw driver, a rubber mallet and a dowel help on 38s to get the front band off. Trey
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riceone · Joined: Aug 22 2003 Posts: 86 Location: Mississippi Delta

WD40 sprayed on the wood helps get the bands off without maring the wood. I learned that from you Trey. riceone
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Most people who preach tolerance are very intolerate.

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

I forgot about that, its just 2nd habit to spray it down with wd40. It doesn't hurt the finish and wipes completely off with a soft rag. Trey
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!