Jap service rifle question - The Firearms Forum

djohns6 · 01-18-2005, 06:59 PM

What rifle was general issue to the WW II Japanese soldier ?

22WRF · 01-18-2005, 09:32 PM

The Arisaka Type 99 7.7mm probably the most common.
Here is good Japanese rifle site
Jap Rifles

1952Sniper · 01-19-2005, 07:31 AM

I didn't click on the link 22WRF provided, so I don't know if it mentions this or not.... But if you find an Arisaka with the mum stamp still intact, BUY IT. The Japanese were ordered to deface the mums from their rifles at the end of the war, because it was considered a sacred symbol of their Emporer. So every rifle in their possession was defaced. But a few escaped, and they are hard to find. They are worth big bucks.

SF Mike · 01-19-2005, 10:04 PM

I have seen dozens of T99s-very few unground.
There is a controversy among collectors about whether the T99 is actually the most common.
It was to replace the T38 but a lot of them are saying that a good deal of the T99s never got issued thru the crumbling Jap supply channels...
An awful lot of them got picked up after the war when they were cleaning out the arsenals.
'Nother thing we'll never know for sure.

Colonel Plink · 02-02-2005, 09:29 PM

I picked up a T-99 for $35.00 from an ol' boy here in Sterling. He was selling it for the widow next door. Her dog had chewed the handguard off and the thing was covered in crud and cobwebs. The safety bolt was last-ditch, but it had airplane sights. None of the numbers match. What a wreck. It did have a chrome-lined bore with lots of strong rifling left, though. So I went and got a scrap-heap Boyd's walnut stock that had a right-hand cheek-piece with a left-hand cast-off (perfect for a budget leftie like me) Took off the comb down flat and removed the cheek piece. The thing is, I've got pretty poor eyesight for iron sights, and the T-99's sights are pretty funky to begin with. I've gotten some sub-3" groups at 100 yards, but I'm dead sure the rifle will shoot tighter if I scope it.

So I finally get to the question... Where does a guy in Northeast Colorado find someone to do the bolt-handle work? Is there some special wizardry involved, or could a competent welder in a machine shop do the job?

jamesed · 02-03-2005, 01:20 AM

There were actually two rifles in service with the Japaneese Imperial forces.

The older of the two was the type 38 Arasaka in 6.5 mm. The newer model the type 99 was introduced in 1939 and was of 7.7 mm diameter. Because of the war a great many 6.5 mm Arasakas were used through out the war as there wasn't sufficient time for the conversion process to be completed.

According to P.O. Ackley the Japaneese Arasaka's had two distinguising features. One is that they were extremely strong actions. Probablely the strongest of all modified Mauser actions. The second feature was extremly quick lock times.

Buford Allen · 02-15-2005, 10:18 PM

Well, just to get in on the subject. My Dad and his older brother both have Arisaka Type 99's that my Grandpa got in Okinawa and sent home. They both have the Mum intact on top of the receiver and the anti-aircraft sights. If you are looking for one of these rifles, djohns6, there is one at George's Guns in Vernon, Tx. It has been sporterized with a Monte Carlo type wood stock and a scope. I think the price was around $200 the last time I looked at it. And BTW, the Mum is there.

01-18-2005, 06:59 PM	#1
djohns6 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Louisiana Posts: 194	Jap service rifle question What rifle was general issue to the WW II Japanese soldier ? -->

01-18-2005, 09:32 PM	#2
22WRF Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pea Ridge, FL Contributor Posts: 4,253	Re: Jap service rifle question The Arisaka Type 99 7.7mm probably the most common. Here is good Japanese rifle site Jap Rifles __________________ NRA GOA CCRKBA Happiness is a warm barrel

01-19-2005, 07:31 AM	#3
1952Sniper Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 5,138	Re: Jap service rifle question I didn't click on the link 22WRF provided, so I don't know if it mentions this or not.... But if you find an Arisaka with the mum stamp still intact, BUY IT. The Japanese were ordered to deface the mums from their rifles at the end of the war, because it was considered a sacred symbol of their Emporer. So every rifle in their possession was defaced. But a few escaped, and they are hard to find. They are worth big bucks.

01-19-2005, 10:04 PM	#4
SF Mike V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 70	Re: Jap service rifle question I have seen dozens of T99s-very few unground. There is a controversy among collectors about whether the T99 is actually the most common. It was to replace the T38 but a lot of them are saying that a good deal of the T99s never got issued thru the crumbling Jap supply channels... An awful lot of them got picked up after the war when they were cleaning out the arsenals. 'Nother thing we'll never know for sure.

02-02-2005, 09:29 PM	#5
Colonel Plink V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NE Colorado Posts: 68	Re: Jap service rifle question I picked up a T-99 for $35.00 from an ol' boy here in Sterling. He was selling it for the widow next door. Her dog had chewed the handguard off and the thing was covered in crud and cobwebs. The safety bolt was last-ditch, but it had airplane sights. None of the numbers match. What a wreck. It did have a chrome-lined bore with lots of strong rifling left, though. So I went and got a scrap-heap Boyd's walnut stock that had a right-hand cheek-piece with a left-hand cast-off (perfect for a budget leftie like me) Took off the comb down flat and removed the cheek piece. The thing is, I've got pretty poor eyesight for iron sights, and the T-99's sights are pretty funky to begin with. I've gotten some sub-3" groups at 100 yards, but I'm dead sure the rifle will shoot tighter if I scope it. So I finally get to the question... Where does a guy in Northeast Colorado find someone to do the bolt-handle work? Is there some special wizardry involved, or could a competent welder in a machine shop do the job? __________________ "When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro" - -Hunter S. Thompson

02-03-2005, 01:20 AM	#6
jamesed Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Clackamas County Oregon Posts: 38	Re: Jap service rifle question There were actually two rifles in service with the Japaneese Imperial forces. The older of the two was the type 38 Arasaka in 6.5 mm. The newer model the type 99 was introduced in 1939 and was of 7.7 mm diameter. Because of the war a great many 6.5 mm Arasakas were used through out the war as there wasn't sufficient time for the conversion process to be completed. According to P.O. Ackley the Japaneese Arasaka's had two distinguising features. One is that they were extremely strong actions. Probablely the strongest of all modified Mauser actions. The second feature was extremly quick lock times.

02-15-2005, 10:18 PM	#7
Buford Allen V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Vernon, TX Posts: 134	Re: Jap service rifle question Well, just to get in on the subject. My Dad and his older brother both have Arisaka Type 99's that my Grandpa got in Okinawa and sent home. They both have the Mum intact on top of the receiver and the anti-aircraft sights. If you are looking for one of these rifles, djohns6, there is one at George's Guns in Vernon, Tx. It has been sporterized with a Monte Carlo type wood stock and a scope. I think the price was around $200 the last time I looked at it. And BTW, the Mum is there. __________________ "Politicians hide themselves away. They only started the war. Why should they go out to fight? They leave that role to the poor, yeah." --Black Sabbath, War Pigs "Yes as a matter of fact, I am a Christian, American, Heterosexual, PRO-GUN, Conservative." "Any questions?"