Red Dot Arms Forum

Full Version: Arisaka Type 99 Short Rifle
You're currently viewing a stripped down version of our content. View the full version with proper formatting.
[Image: 2014_11_21_01_37_22.jpg]

My grandfather brought this back with him when he returned from the Pacific in WWII. I believe he is the one who removed the handguard, shortened the stock, and probably ditched the cleaning rod and dust cover. The family lore says my grandfather used this for hunting and fired .30-06 out of it instead of 7.7x58mm. It is missing the follower and follower spring so I'm guessing he converted it to single shot. My father had refinished the wood at some point. He also had the gun disabled by clipping the firing pin. The mum was ground off during surrender so I'm assuming this came from a pile and not a battlefield. This series did not have sights with the anti-aircraft wings or the monopod.

[Image: 2014_11_21_00_57_20_1.jpg]

From what I've found it is a 32nd series made by Toyo Kogyo in the latter half of 1943. Toyo Kogyo is still around today though it goes by "Mazda" now. The factory was near Hiroshima and wasn't destroyed when the atomic bomb was dropped but did close because they lost most of the workers.

[Image: 2014_11_21_00_43_26.jpg] [Image: 2014_11_21_00_44_00.jpg]


The last two symbols indicate where it was made and the first symbol indicates the series. The rest of the number is the serial number. The last 3 digits should match the bolt and this one does.

This is not a "last ditch" version. The cocking knob is knurled, the barrel is chromed, the bolt is plum shaped, it has the smaller recoil bolt, it had the mum and other markings, and the butt plate is metal.

[Image: 2014_11_21_00_57_47.jpg] [Image: 2014_11_21_00_57_48.jpg] [Image: 2014_11_21_01_38_25.jpg]

It's not worth much but it is a neat thing to have. I haven't decided if I would try to have it fixed or not - I go back and forth on that.
Have to love these guns that are a piece of history with family lore behind them. I would bet your grandfather would have been an interesting person to talk to! Thanks for sharing! The pictures are great!
Very nice piece.
Thanks for sharing. If it was mine, I would make it a long term restore project.
Whatever you decide, think of the history and family memories that go with the gun.
I would fix it up, family guns are something special
this is the one my grandfather brought home, i would really love to fire it.
(05-24-2015, 06:08 PM)nickdemo Wrote: [ -> ]this is the one my grandfather brought home, i would really love to fire it.

Bring it in to David at the shop. He'll check it out for ya.
are you guys going to be open on memorial day?
No, we are only close 6-7 days a year, and tomorrow is on of those days.
(05-24-2015, 06:08 PM)nickdemo Wrote: [ -> ]this is the one my grandfather brought home, i would really love to fire it.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it looks like the chrysanthemum has been defaced. The lines of the petals should go down to the center circle like this:

[Image: 975590_03_arisaka_japanese_type_99_7_7_r_640.jpg]
I bet there is a story behind how the chrysanthemum became defaced. That is pretty tough steel, so it had to be done on purpose.
(07-13-2015, 07:25 PM)BelieveIn308 Wrote: [ -> ]I bet there is a story behind how the chrysanthemum became defaced. That is pretty tough steel, so it had to be done on purpose.

It was - the mum represented the Emperor and was supposed to be removed prior to surrender to save his honor.
(07-13-2015, 11:26 PM)AcilletaM Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-13-2015, 07:25 PM)BelieveIn308 Wrote: [ -> ]I bet there is a story behind how the chrysanthemum became defaced. That is pretty tough steel, so it had to be done on purpose.

It was - the mum represented the Emperor and was supposed to be removed prior to surrender to save his honor.

And they say old dogs can't learn! Thanks!
(07-14-2015, 10:04 AM)BelieveIn308 Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-13-2015, 11:26 PM)AcilletaM Wrote: [ -> ]
(07-13-2015, 07:25 PM)BelieveIn308 Wrote: [ -> ]I bet there is a story behind how the chrysanthemum became defaced. That is pretty tough steel, so it had to be done on purpose.

It was - the mum represented the Emperor and was supposed to be removed prior to surrender to save his honor.

And they say old dogs can't learn! Thanks!
No problem. I learned this yesterday about the war and the Emperor from some unconnected reading. The second atomic bomb was supposed to be dropped on the Emperor's head in Kyoto but the Secretary of War vetoed that because he had his honeymoon there and loved it. Kokura was chosen instead but it was clouded over the day of the bombing so they went to their secondary target of Nagasaki instead.
Nice piece.