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View Full Version : Which WWII rifle is this?


Tacti-square
01-20-14, 16:35
My friend's grandfather took this from a Japanese soldier during the war. My guess is that it's a Type 97, though it appears to be missing the 2.5x optic, in which case it could just be a Type 38. I haven't been able to see it up close, he just sent me the pic today.

22918
HKGuns
01-20-14, 16:52
Looks to be a Type 99 Arisaka. Better pictures would help folks be sure on the ID.

This link might help you be sure. Looks like it could use a good cleaning.

http://www.castle-thunder.com/model.htm
RHINOWSO
01-20-14, 19:13
Not sure but that's cool.
snekrz
02-03-14, 23:20
My friend's grandfather took this from a Japanese soldier during the war. My guess is that it's a Type 97, though it appears to be missing the 2.5x optic, in which case it could just be a Type 38. I haven't been able to see it up close, he just sent me the pic today.

22918

Looks like either a type 99 long rifle (somewhat rare) or a type 38, common. Pics of the receiver would tell the difference. The type 38 is 6.5mm and the type 99 is 7.7mm Also some type 38s were training rifles and fired blanks only. Bad things happen when live rounds are put through these. I have a Type 99 run of the mill in excellent shape. One of these days ill break down and get some commercial ammo for it ;)
PatEgan
02-04-14, 00:31
Type 99 Arisaka in 7.7mm. Missing the 'bipod' rods and has the earlier rear sight instead of the fixed 'last ditch' style. Did he grab the bayonet with it?
Pat
SurplusShooter
02-04-14, 06:49
Looks like either a type 99 long rifle (somewhat rare) or a type 38, common
The type 38 would be shorter than the type 99 and different caliber. From the pic, I'm pretty-sure its a t99. IME the T99 is not "more rare" than the T38, I've seen both available on the collector's forums and they usually go for around $250-$400 depending on a variety of factors.

Good luck finding ammo, recently there has been none available in 7.7 I had to form my own cases and reload my own.

As for the "training rifle" possibility, I don't think it was limited to only T38's. It's easy enough to tell, though: you can do some google searching on Arisaka Training Rifles to learn the distinguishing features, no reason to repeat it all here.
PatEgan
02-04-14, 12:51
Not a huge deal reloading for these, as I understand. It's one of the few WWII calibers I don't reload for, but I'm pretty sure you can use re-formed .30-06 cases and .311-.312 (as in, Brit .303 or Soviet 7.62x54R) bullets.
Pat
SurplusShooter
02-04-14, 16:33
Not a huge deal reloading for these...
You are correct. I created my cases from Win 270 brass, (just so the different headstamp would tell them apart from my 30-06 loads) but any 30-06 or similar derivative cartridge could work. I use .312 diameter Hornady Flex-tip bullets with a flat base. I had tried some Privi .311 bullets, but they would tumble (every rifle is different).