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“last ditch” rifles. These were extremely crudelymade. Chrome plating was eliminated; sights sim-plified, no bolt-cover slots were incorporated, nocleaning rods were mounted under the barrel,monopods were dispensed with, and stampedstock furniture was utilized. The receivers often hadimproper heat treatment, and are consideredunsafe to fire. However, the early models of theType 99 were extremely strong. In tests conductedafter the war, the Type 38 and Type 99 Arisakasproved to have the strongest actions of any bolt-action rifles used during WWII. The rifle illustratedwas manufactured at Nagoya Arsenal, located onthe southern coast of Honshu, Japan, in 1940. Ithas the chrome-plated bore and bolt face, and theanti-aircraft rear sight, but the monopod and boltcover have been removed.

It’s noteworthy that what appear to be dupli-cate serial numbers may be encountered. The seri-al number on the left of the receiver may have a“series” symbol in front of the Arabic numerals.This needs to be taken into account, as well asthe specific arsenal at which the rifle was manu-factured. Deciphering the series symbols andarsenal marks requires a good reference book, ofwhich there are several. The last three digits of theserial number should be found on the undersideof the bolt handle base.

As originally manufactured, the receivers ofmost Type 99s were stamped with a 16-petalchrysanthemum design. This was the symbol ofownership by the Emperor. At the end of the war,most of these “mums” were ground off as a face-saving gesture either by the surrendering Japanesetroops, or possibly by U.S. personnel at the orderof General Douglas MacArthur. Rifles with themum intact are probably battlefield pickups, whilethose with the mums ground off were undoubtedlyformally surrendered. Both are collectable, butmummed rifles will bring a premium in price.

The Japanese used both Type 38 and Type 99Arisakas extensively during WWII. It was hopedthat the Type 99 would fully supplant the Type38, but production never caught up to thedemand. Combined production of all Arisakamodels between 1906 and 1945 has been esti-mated at 6.4 million, with about 3.5 million ofthem being the Type 99. Type 38 and Type 99rifles were made at seven Japanese arsenals plusthe Mukden Arsenal in Manchuria and the JinsenArsenal in Korea. 133,000 Type 99 rifles wereacquired by the Republic of Korea after the war,re-chambered to .30-06, and used during theKorean War. A .308 bullet slipping down a .311bore didn’t make for extreme accuracy, but thesere-treads worked well enough.

The bayonet used on Japanese rifles duringWWII was called the Type 30, which dated from1897. These were usually about 20 inches longand may be found with either a hookedquillon/crosspiece (for stacking arms), or a straightone, and a curved or straight pommel/butt. Therewere 12 different manufacturers. Serial numbersare independent of the rifles.

Examples of the Arisaka Type 99 can be foundeasily, as many came to the U.S. as war souvenirslugged back by veterans of the Pacific conflict.Long ignored by collectors as “cheap Japanesejunk rifles,” the early rifles were in fact very wellmade, accurate, and extremely strong. They arebecoming increasingly popular as relics of WorldWar II. Avoid the “last ditch” examples, and checkfor matching serial numbers on the receiver andbolt. Also avoid those re-chambered to .30-06, asmany were. Have a gunsmith check the rifle outbefore shooting it. Ammo and reloading dies andcomponents are available. As a shooter, an earlyType 99 should be able to give you a 1.5-inchgroup at 100 yards. These are classics, and animportant piece of military history.

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he war, the Type 38 and Type 99 Arisakas ons of any bolt-action rifles used during WWII.””

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