'Last Ditch' Type 99 Arisaka w/Provenance

[ObKrieger]

Hi guys!

I got this Arisaka from my anthropology professor today. His dad brought it back (most likely from Okinawa) after serving aboard the USS Guadalupe (AO-32). It's a very late type 99, all matching, but with a ground mum. It's a 34th series rifle from the Toyo Kogyo Arsenal. It's a neat rifle with a neat history. The metalwork is horrendous, though. I'm afraid to fire it...

My cat is fascinated with militaria photography. She comes running every time I take pictures of anything.

[brataccas]

never seen a cat with 4 legs and 1 arm before in my life.

[SteveR]

That is a nice example. The ground mums were done after the official surrender.
Every Naval vessel that put into a Japanese port after the beginning of the occupation all crew members were given a Japanese rifle for a souvenir. The rifles captured on the Islands had the mums intact.

[Walkwolf]

Great rifle Mo. Congrats.........!

[zwerge]

Nice rifle,I have one of the TJK 27th series LD rifles......Pete.

[ObKrieger]

Thanks guys! I'm glad I got to it before one of his other students did.

[AZPhil]

That is a great looking last ditch 99 and a matching bolt to boot. Excellent!!!
The metal work doesn't look that bad for a last ditch. I would shoot it.

Semper Fi
Phil

[weller]

Very interesting info Steve. My Uncle sent back a Japanese rifle from the Pacific, he was a Navy guy. It did have the Mum still intact, so now I know how that happened. He was part of the Occupation also so must have sent it earlier when on the Islands. Unfortunately, back in the 1970's during a move from Missouri to Texas the rifle disappeared...we think the moving crew pinched it.

[Adam M]

Nice rifle, certainly late war produced due to the wooden butt stock.

[Tank Destroyer]

Nice piece of history, enjoy. Marty