Matching Arisaka Type 99 Rifle with Chrysanthemum

This is an Nagoya arsenal manufactured Model 99 7.7mm calibre short rifle with a Department of control (chief inspector) inspection kana mark.
Manufactured later in the war and sometimes erroneously called the “last ditch” rifles by returning GI’s who compared them to earlier rifles the Model 99 was well made. This is an early series 7 rifle that incorporated some economies such as the scrapping of the monopod rest and the impractical aircraft sights. The rear sight on this rifle is the issue sight which is shorter than the earlier aircraft sights. This particular rifle‘s bolt is matched with the receiver which is not common, most that I have seen have been mismatched as a result of armourers working on them. This has a second type safety cover on the bolt which features a series of milled grooves, the very early rifles had a chrysanthemum cover and the later rifles were simple welded.
This rifle has many of the features of the earlier rifles including a metal butt plate, and an adjustable rear peep sight adjustable to 1500 metres. At this stage of the war the rifles still had the Shiki or type numbers stamped into the top of the receiver. This particular rifle was probably a battlefield pickup from a fallen Japanese soldier because the royal Chrysanthemum is totally intact. When the war ended it was agreed that the symbol could be ground off to save face by not allowing the surrendered weapons with the royal symbol to be handled by foreigners. This was done mechanically or electrically and all traces of the Chrysanthemum were removed. . The butt of the Arisaka was made in two pieces dove tailed together and towards the end of the war unseasoned wood was used as an expedient and often the butts feature a wide separation gap but this is a nice one that was made with seasoned wood. The bore of the rifle is good and it has been recently proofed (Nov 2013). Overall a very nice untouched example of a classic Japanese Rifle.

Code: 50219