Japanese Arisaka Rifle

[alsaqr]

After WWII the US had hundreds of thousands of captured Type 99 Japanese rifles on hand. Many of these Type 99 rifles were re-chambered for .30-06 and issued to South Korean troops. Most of these were refinished with a phosphate coating, the monopod was removed and a few have the mum intact: I own one.


http://www.pmulcahy.com/battle_rifles/japanese_battle_rifles.htm

The newly-formed Republic of Korea was given some 127,000 Short Rifles and 6700 Long Rifles after World War 2, in order to equip their police forces and to a small extent military forces. These versions of the Type 99 were re-chambered for .30-06 Springfield, with appropriate changes in the magazine and sights, and also had slots cut in the top to allow for the use of the ammunition’s stripper clips. Normally, the monopod was also deleted. Japanese markings were also removed, and the metalwork was re-finished in gray phosphate. These weapons served in surprising numbers in South Korean hands in the Korean War, but most were junked or placed in museums or private collections after the Korean War.

The Thai military also received thousands of Short Rifles after World War 2; these were also re-chambered for .30-06 Springfield ammunition. They are the same as the modified Korean Type 99 Short Rifles for game purposes, but bear markings in Sanskrit and the Chakra symbol of the Thai military forces, as well as Japanese markings. Their fates were also similar to their Korean counterparts.

 

[Jim K]

I have always wondered how well those converted rifles shot as the .30 bullet is a bit small for the 7.7mm bore (.308" vs. .311"). I understand those rifles were issued to police and "militia"; pics of ROK front line forces show them with M1 rifles and carbines.

Jim

 

[alsaqr]

I understand those rifles were issued to police and "militia"; pics of ROK front line forces show them with M1 rifles and carbines.

My gun and several others were obtained by me from the ROK police in 1963. All were in beautiful condition. I also had another Arisaka that I obtained from the ROK police: I recently gave it to my son. That gun was not re-chambered and the mum is intact.

I was an EOD guy and we got lots of Japanese 7.7mm ammo in 30 round strips to destroy. Thought that that gun kicked a little hard with that ammo. Then I found out that the ammo in strips was some very powerful stuff that was to be used only in the Hotchkiss type machine gun: Proofed the gun every time I fired it.


Some of the rifles that were re-chambered to .30-06 are very accurate, including mine. Others did not shoot well at all. The 7.7mm is larger than the 06 in the base by about .002. The body of the 06 cartridge swells slightly when it is fired in the chamber of most Type 99 guns. In some guns the swell is quite noticeable.

 

[Birdmang]

I have an Arisaka with a bayonet and monopod, it is not the carbine. It has the mum and all the other marking still on it...pretty good condition as well. Anyone want to help me with a value?

 

[aerod1]

I have an early Type 99 Arisaka made at the Kokura plant. It has the Mum intact and anti aircraft sights still intact.
Here is a wonderful site for us Arisaka lovers:
http://www.castle-thunder.com/

 

[Jim K]

I am surprised that the 7.7 ammo in feed strips worked in a rifle, as it is semi-rimmed.

The Japanese issued three kinds of 7.7 ammo - rimless for use in the Type 99 rifle; semi-rimmed for use in the Hotchkiss type MG, and rimmed for the Imperial Navy's license built Lewis guns. The latter were used on ships, as flexible guns on aircraft, and as land guns with Navy landing parties (sometimes called "Jap Marines" by Americans, but the Japanese had no marines as such). The 7.7 rimmed is identical to and will interchange with, the .303 British.

Jim

 

[alsaqr]

Actually the semi-rimmed ammo fed really well through my gun.

During that tour in Korea I met an Army NCO named Sun. SFC Sun was a Niesi who had the unfortunate to be visiting Japan with his Mom when the war broke out. Sun was drafted into the Japanese army and fought in the Pacific in WWII. After the war was over Sun came back to the US and joined the Army.

I talked about my Type 99 rifle and Sun wanted to fire it. Sun was surprised that I had been shooting the semi-rimmed machinegun ammo in that gun. In the unit we had nearly every type of rifle, pistol and machinegun used by the Japanese in WWII. Suns eyes lit up when he saw our collection. I learned a lot about those guns from SFC Sun.

 

[redrocco16v]

By your description your rifle has the exact same markings as mine. Below the mum your rifle probly has a extra mark above the 38type marking. It is the school mark. this is not a training rifle if it still has the rifling in the the bore but was used at some school. that also explains the 0 0 in front of the serial. that mine also has. Check out this link for all the Symbol meanings. http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/japanese_markings.html
Have not shot mine yet. it came from my grandfather and cannot tell you the exact history he passed 7 years before I was born. Mine also apears to have original sling and bayonet.

 

[Mikedeprinter]

I have a question for the japanese arms experts. I was given a jap carbine from a close friend. He was a WWII vet and got the rifle while in the Pacific as a Marine. While getting back on the troop transfer ship, he said all the guys were given captured jap rifles. He was given a very long rifle and complained it was too big and asked for one of the "short ones". He was given a very short carbine and they filled out the G.I. capture papers. My friends son past away a few years ago so he didn't have anyone to pass the rifle on to. He gave it to me. I am looking for a book to learn more about the carbine. Any suggestions? A buddy who knows more about them than I, said it was a 'last ditch" though he said he's never seen one like it. Any ideas?

 

[TEDDY]

jap rifles

if you have ever seen a last ditch you would never forget it.I had two and a parade gun.these guns are not last ditch they are substitute standard.
just like the 1903 and substitute standard 1903A4.last ditch bolt locks into the barrel and the reciever is cast.
the MG ammo wont go in my guns and I have 5of 7.7 and 1000 rds of hotchkiss ammo.I do shoot it but I have a bolt opened to take it.the bullet is heavy 206 gr if I remember.so it kicks. the 6.5 is about 1/4 inch .264 and the 7.7 is about 5/16 or .311.you can look at the muzzle and tell.