Arisaka Type 99 numbers - The Firearms Forum

medalguy · 03-12-2011, 11:15 PM

I was just given an Arisaka Type 99 rifle by my son, who picked it up at a garage sale. My question revolves around a serial number stamped on the left side of the receiver in arabic numbers. There is what appears to be a shield of some type before the 5 digit number and four interlocking circles following the numbers. Seems to me the number should be in Japansese characters, right? Are these importers numbers or what? Thanks for any information.

CHW2021 · 03-13-2011, 10:36 AM

http://surplusrifle.com/ The markings and numbers you refer to are the arsenal and production numbers, they are somewhat confusing for the Arisaka rifle as they are in a range of production blocks based on the Japanese year of the Emperor.

Buffalochip · 03-13-2011, 11:22 AM

check out www.radix.net/~bbrown/japanese_markings.html

medalguy · 03-13-2011, 05:55 PM

Thanks for the information. This is the first Japanese rifle I've ever owned and was somewhat surprised to see arabic numbers on the side. I expected the SN to be in Japanese characters. I appreciate the links and information.

Jim K · 03-14-2011, 03:57 PM

The Japanese, then and now, use both number systems, and there seems no real rhyme or reason as to which is used where. I know of no use of the Japanese numbering for serial numbers of weapons, but the model "Type" numbers are always Japanese.

I have never been in Japan, but have been told that it is (or at least was) common for stores to display prices in both "arabic" numbers and Japanese. The latter was a lower price and that is what you paid if you could read the Japanese numbers; if you couldn't, you paid the higher price. I laughed MAO at that story; really neat.

Jim

03-12-2011, 11:15 PM	#1
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 585	Arisaka Type 99 numbers I was just given an Arisaka Type 99 rifle by my son, who picked it up at a garage sale. My question revolves around a serial number stamped on the left side of the receiver in arabic numbers. There is what appears to be a shield of some type before the 5 digit number and four interlocking circles following the numbers. Seems to me the number should be in Japansese characters, right? Are these importers numbers or what? Thanks for any information. -->

03-13-2011, 10:36 AM	#2
CHW2021 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 467	Re: Arisaka Type 99 numbers http://surplusrifle.com/ The markings and numbers you refer to are the arsenal and production numbers, they are somewhat confusing for the Arisaka rifle as they are in a range of production blocks based on the Japanese year of the Emperor.

03-13-2011, 11:22 AM	#3
Buffalochip Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 754	Re: Arisaka Type 99 numbers check out www.radix.net/~bbrown/japanese_markings.html

03-13-2011, 05:55 PM	#4
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 585	Re: Arisaka Type 99 numbers Thanks for the information. This is the first Japanese rifle I've ever owned and was somewhat surprised to see arabic numbers on the side. I expected the SN to be in Japanese characters. I appreciate the links and information.

03-14-2011, 03:57 PM	#5
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Arisaka Type 99 numbers The Japanese, then and now, use both number systems, and there seems no real rhyme or reason as to which is used where. I know of no use of the Japanese numbering for serial numbers of weapons, but the model "Type" numbers are always Japanese. I have never been in Japan, but have been told that it is (or at least was) common for stores to display prices in both "arabic" numbers and Japanese. The latter was a lower price and that is what you paid if you could read the Japanese numbers; if you couldn't, you paid the higher price. I laughed MAO at that story; really neat. Jim