My Pop recently passed down this Arisaka Type 99 Short Rifle (Series 34 - "Last Ditch Rifle")...
This was a capture rifle brought back from the South Pacific when my Grandad returned home from the Second War. Based on the arsenal roll marks and cartouche markings it was produced in Hiroshima at the Toyo Kogyo Arsenal somewhere between 1941-45. The Type 99 rifles are chambered for the 7.7 x 58mm Arisaka.
These rifles have a reputation for being extremely well built with strong, solid actions and chrome lined barrels, so it should still be a great shooter. The 7.7 x 58mm round uses the same projectile as the .303 British and the case dimension is most similar to a .30-06. I did find couple boxes of ammo for it at a local specialty shop. The rifle is missing its mag spring and follower, so I won't be able to shoot it until I can find a replacement. Even if I'm never able to shoot it, it's still great piece of family history...
This was a capture rifle brought back from the South Pacific when my Grandad returned home from the Second War. Based on the arsenal roll marks and cartouche markings it was produced in Hiroshima at the Toyo Kogyo Arsenal somewhere between 1941-45. The Type 99 rifles are chambered for the 7.7 x 58mm Arisaka.
These rifles have a reputation for being extremely well built with strong, solid actions and chrome lined barrels, so it should still be a great shooter. The 7.7 x 58mm round uses the same projectile as the .303 British and the case dimension is most similar to a .30-06. I did find couple boxes of ammo for it at a local specialty shop. The rifle is missing its mag spring and follower, so I won't be able to shoot it until I can find a replacement. Even if I'm never able to shoot it, it's still great piece of family history...