Japanese last ditch - The Firearms Forum

yardbird · 09-11-2012, 06:13 PM

I have 4 of these and guess it is time to unload some. Kokura series 25..3 have Mums and three match..think will sell a couple, what may I ask are these going for ?...Roy

woolleyworm · 09-11-2012, 07:40 PM

$40 for the non-mum and depending on cosmetic condition, $70 for the others if they are true last ditch and unfireable. Not much value in the last ditch models.

Hows Whidbey Island these days? I used to do contact work out there and grew up in Darrington. W.I. is one beautiful place. Pass lake used to be my go to spot to get away snd relax.

Buffalochip · 09-11-2012, 07:46 PM

[QUOTE=woolleyworm;991335]$40 for the non-mum and depending on cosmetic condition, $70 for the others if they are true last ditch and unfireable. Not much value in the last ditch models.

Those prices seem a bit low. I wouldn't take less than $125 for the non-mum and not less than $200 for the others. Depending on condition, they might go higher.

woolleyworm · 09-11-2012, 08:32 PM

[QUOTE=Buffalochip;991340]

Quote:

Originally Posted by woolleyworm

$40 for the non-mum and depending on cosmetic condition, $70 for the others if they are true last ditch and unfireable. Not much value in the last ditch models.

Those prices seem a bit low. I wouldn't take less than $125 for the non-mum and not less than $200 for the others. Depending on condition, they might go higher.

For a non-fireable gun? There are many many out there and a darn good shootable Nagant can be had for $125 or even less. Really need more info on the 3 mums and close ups of the receiver, safety and bore condition.

Last chance I had to buy a last ditch, they were going for $60 and were still there when I left the show.

Jim K · 09-12-2012, 11:30 AM

I have to agree with Buffalochip. But why non-fireable? I know those "last ditch" rifles fairly well and have not seen any I would be afraid to fire. I still own one and have fired it quite a bit (200 rounds or so) with no problems; in fact it is very accurate, givng about a 1 1/2" group at 100 yards. If we had had to invade Japan and faced determined people armed with those rifles, a lot of Ameicans would have died.

Note that this does NOT apply to the true "last ditch" rifles, like the ones chambered for the 8mm pistol cartridge, and certainly not to the training rifles, which are often confused with and called "last ditch" rifles.

Jim

woolleyworm · 09-12-2012, 12:09 PM

I will not trust my life to what a country does in the last effort of a war. there is no way to tell what the Japanese were pouring into those guns in the end. I like arisakas and the early models are very good guns. I don't find any value in guns that were pumped out with complete disregard for quality and workmanship. the OP had stated that these were " last ditch". hopefully he will post some more information as I had asked; this will help determine if they are true last ditch or not.

Jim K · 09-12-2012, 12:28 PM

The rifles pictured are the kind normally called "last ditch". To anyone familiar with the Type 99, there are obvious shortcuts in manufacturing, like leaving the rough weld on the bolt cap rather than machining the normal serrations, and leaving some of the left side unfinished. But I have seen dozens like them and they are all (IMHO) serviceable and safe to fire. As to quality and workmanship, I will note that '03A3 Remingtons and Smith-Coronas are not exactly the acme of the gunmaker's art.

Jim

yardbird · 09-12-2012, 02:06 PM

Thanks guys for the replies...Guess for those prices I will just let them hang on the wall. I do think they might draw more up here. some have been up there for 40 years. At one time collected them, still have about 50. They do match and with Mums. Two are only 522 numbers off each other..Whidbey...schooled here married here (64 years ago) little place on the beach 52 years. Texas there in 1945 Army..did not go back.. Roy

3/2 STA SS · 09-12-2012, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yardbird

Thanks guys for the replies...Guess for those prices I will just let them hang on the wall. I do think they might draw more up here. some have been up there for 40 years. At one time collected them, still have about 50. They do match and with Mums. Two are only 522 numbers off each other..Whidbey...schooled here married here (64 years ago) little place on the beach 52 years. Texas there in 1945 Army..did not go back.. Roy

I was at NSB Bangor from 88-90....I loved WA state....

Detroit-1 · 09-13-2012, 07:30 AM

I have many so called last ditch Type 99's. I have shot them all. I love it when people say they are unsafe to shoot it just makes it cheaper for me to buy! Up here in Wisconsin a matching, with unsanded stock, and a full mum, series 25 would be worth around 250.00 to 300.00.

yardbird · 09-13-2012, 01:48 PM

Thanks guys for the replies..We have a little show here in a few week, and I will go for the $300.00 and stuff one of my bayonets on it. time wiil tell...Roy

Buffalochip · 09-13-2012, 06:07 PM

Good luck--there were several stages of "last ditch" rifles and yours apear to be finished one of the earlier versions with the egg-shaped bolt knobs. By the way, I believe it was the NRA that tested the strength of the Type 99 Arisakas and they are one of the strongest military actions ever made.

300 H&H · 09-13-2012, 09:41 PM

P.O. Ackley did the work on military action strength. He tested them all and the Arisaka's were the strongest of all.. Tripple heat treatment and clean base steel are what he thought was resopncible. JFYI.

Regards, Kirk

yardbird · 09-28-2012, 01:25 PM

OK guys!! took one in and it sold. $280.00 ..had a few handguns and they went fast...seems like they are the best sellers..Roy

09-11-2012, 06:13 PM	#1
yardbird V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Whidbey Island Posts: 112	Japanese last ditch I have 4 of these and guess it is time to unload some. Kokura series 25..3 have Mums and three match..think will sell a couple, what may I ask are these going for ?...Roy Attached Images -->

09-11-2012, 07:40 PM	#2
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,881	Re: Japanese last ditch $40 for the non-mum and depending on cosmetic condition, $70 for the others if they are true last ditch and unfireable. Not much value in the last ditch models. Hows Whidbey Island these days? I used to do contact work out there and grew up in Darrington. W.I. is one beautiful place. Pass lake used to be my go to spot to get away snd relax. __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

09-11-2012, 07:46 PM	#3
Buffalochip Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 754	Re: Japanese last ditch [QUOTE=woolleyworm;991335]$40 for the non-mum and depending on cosmetic condition, $70 for the others if they are true last ditch and unfireable. Not much value in the last ditch models. Those prices seem a bit low. I wouldn't take less than $125 for the non-mum and not less than $200 for the others. Depending on condition, they might go higher.

09-12-2012, 11:30 AM	#5
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Japanese last ditch I have to agree with Buffalochip. But why non-fireable? I know those "last ditch" rifles fairly well and have not seen any I would be afraid to fire. I still own one and have fired it quite a bit (200 rounds or so) with no problems; in fact it is very accurate, givng about a 1 1/2" group at 100 yards. If we had had to invade Japan and faced determined people armed with those rifles, a lot of Ameicans would have died. Note that this does NOT apply to the true "last ditch" rifles, like the ones chambered for the 8mm pistol cartridge, and certainly not to the training rifles, which are often confused with and called "last ditch" rifles. Jim

09-12-2012, 12:09 PM	#6
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,881	Re: Japanese last ditch I will not trust my life to what a country does in the last effort of a war. there is no way to tell what the Japanese were pouring into those guns in the end. I like arisakas and the early models are very good guns. I don't find any value in guns that were pumped out with complete disregard for quality and workmanship. the OP had stated that these were " last ditch". hopefully he will post some more information as I had asked; this will help determine if they are true last ditch or not. __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

09-12-2012, 12:28 PM	#7
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Japanese last ditch The rifles pictured are the kind normally called "last ditch". To anyone familiar with the Type 99, there are obvious shortcuts in manufacturing, like leaving the rough weld on the bolt cap rather than machining the normal serrations, and leaving some of the left side unfinished. But I have seen dozens like them and they are all (IMHO) serviceable and safe to fire. As to quality and workmanship, I will note that '03A3 Remingtons and Smith-Coronas are not exactly the acme of the gunmaker's art. Jim

09-12-2012, 02:06 PM	#8
yardbird V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Whidbey Island Posts: 112	Re: Japanese last ditch Thanks guys for the replies...Guess for those prices I will just let them hang on the wall. I do think they might draw more up here. some have been up there for 40 years. At one time collected them, still have about 50. They do match and with Mums. Two are only 522 numbers off each other..Whidbey...schooled here married here (64 years ago) little place on the beach 52 years. Texas there in 1945 Army..did not go back.. Roy

09-13-2012, 07:30 AM	#10
Detroit-1 Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 27	Re: Japanese last ditch I have many so called last ditch Type 99's. I have shot them all. I love it when people say they are unsafe to shoot it just makes it cheaper for me to buy! Up here in Wisconsin a matching, with unsanded stock, and a full mum, series 25 would be worth around 250.00 to 300.00.

09-13-2012, 01:48 PM	#11
yardbird V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Whidbey Island Posts: 112	Re: Japanese last ditch Thanks guys for the replies..We have a little show here in a few week, and I will go for the $300.00 and stuff one of my bayonets on it. time wiil tell...Roy

09-13-2012, 06:07 PM	#12
Buffalochip Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 754	Re: Japanese last ditch Good luck--there were several stages of "last ditch" rifles and yours apear to be finished one of the earlier versions with the egg-shaped bolt knobs. By the way, I believe it was the NRA that tested the strength of the Type 99 Arisakas and they are one of the strongest military actions ever made.

09-13-2012, 09:41 PM	#13
300 H&H Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,796	Re: Japanese last ditch P.O. Ackley did the work on military action strength. He tested them all and the Arisaka's were the strongest of all.. Tripple heat treatment and clean base steel are what he thought was resopncible. JFYI. Regards, Kirk

09-28-2012, 01:25 PM	#14
yardbird V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Whidbey Island Posts: 112	Re: Japanese last ditch OK guys!! took one in and it sold. $280.00 ..had a few handguns and they went fast...seems like they are the best sellers..Roy