Arisaka T99 w/ interesting stamp...help?

[robmc5]

I recently purchased a Arisaka Type 99 that has an interesting stamp in the buttstock. I looked up the characters in (both) Japanese Alphabets and could not find any matches. I look up other Asian alphabets and found a few matches in the Korean alphabet. Can anyone provide any insight into what this might stand for?

The rifle is a Arisaka Type99 Nagoya Series 5 made sometime between 1939 and 1945. It has the aircraft sights and grooves for the dust cover (although I have been told all T99's have these grooves). The mum has been ground, but it looks like a much 'cleaner grinding' than most T99's I have seen. See pic below.

Thanks!!!

 

[USMC - Retired]

Rob, There are actually three Japanese alphabets, hiragana, katagana and Kanji. The symbols on your stock are kanji but, I don't have my kanji guide here at work. I'll see if I can locate it when I get home tonight.

 

[USMC - Retired]

OK, I found a kanji guide online and think I have you sorted out here. Keep in mind that during WWII it is read from right to left not left to right like we do and modern Japanese writing does. OK so from right to left your three Kanji symbols represent the following.

The first symbol means: Item; Article; Refined

The second symbol means: Tree stump; Stock; Shares

The third symbol means: Follow After; Next; Sequential


So given the location of the writing, I would take it to mean that it is indicating that your rifle has the “Refined stock, sequential”, Or something very similar. Basically saying it’s the new or next model stock.

 

[robmc5]

Many thanks USMC, that is really far from what I thought. I guess with that meaning this may be an earlier model type 99, or at least the stock.

Another strange thing about this rifle is the import mark its says C.A.I. VT I am guessing that is Century Arms International, Vermont? I have not seen very many of these with a import mark.


Thanks again USMC for your help!!!!!!!

 

[USMC - Retired]

Glad I could help.