Any Japanese Firearms Collectors

[Richard Simmons]

Might be able to acquire a couple of Type 99's. Anyone collect these or other Japanese rifles? I'm interested in any features, markings, accessories, etc., that might make one rifle more desireable than another as well as opinions on prices and ammo availability/reloading. TIA

[neilwest]

1. I have a couple of 38's along with a 38 Carbine. I also have a Nambu pistol and a Type 99.

2. The most desirable stamp is of course the full mum on the receiver. This was the emblem of the Emperor and was on all the rifles of that period. After the War these were ground off because the Japanese didnt want the Emperor disgraced. A lot of bring backs still have them intact as well as those captured by the Chinese during it occupation.

3. The ammo is very expensibe at $80.00 a box for 8mm Nambu pistol ammo to around $25.00 a box of 20 for the 6.5 Japanese.



http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data/500/7561japanesearms.jpg

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data/500/7561type99a-med.JPG

[CETME]

yeah, I would think that handloading would be a must for these rifles.

Nevertheless, they are an awesome part of history! I will own one soon

[lpspinner]

This is my only Japanese Rifle. This was a bring back and the original owner had it sporterize as a deer rifle. The mum is intact.

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data/3089/12717T99opt.jpg

[aliceinchains]

I have a very low serial number in the 4 digit series on a 38 long rifle that was in a private collection for quite some time.There is no mum, but no indication of ever being stamped with a mum.I guess i should post some pics of this rifle , so i will this weekend.Bore is mint.

[Ktulu]

neilwest, that second pic isn't working for me and maybe others. Is this it?

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data/500/7561type99a1.JPG

[neilwest]

1. Yea, I got in a hurry last night. Thanks. I also posted the Type99 I have above.

[Gilly]

I have a type 14 and a type 94 Japanese pistols. Neil is correct on the ammo being expensive. If you reload order HDS cases from Graf and sons about $30.00 per hundred. I am just finishing some 357 Sig cases that I have been able to size and trim to 8mm Nambu. Both pistols have excellent trigger pulls and are a kick in the pants to shoot. The type 14 is an earlier, 1930, pistol with small trigger guard. I am looking to start collecting some of the Japanese rifles also. David

[DonWally]

Richard,

Norma has only new ammo and is expensive. Brass is expensive, too, but I have read (not yet tried) that 8mm Mauser brass is a VERY close match and easily re-formed by a full-length sizing die. Check out the following link to another forum for reloading:

http://pub176.ezboard.com/fcurioandrelicfirearmsforumfrm32.showMessage?topic ID=156.topic

As far as markings are concerned, the primary place to look is the Mum on the receiver mentioned before and the serial number. The serial number has a Japanese symbol before it telling the series of the production and another Japanese symbol after the no. telling the arsenal. From those two marks you can get an approx. date of manufacture.

Check out the following site for more info on markings:

http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/japanese_markings.html

Mine is all second-hand info. I own a Type 99 but knew nothing until others here and at ezboard posted much useful info.

Hope the links are not too late to be of help in your decision.

Edit added:
Some claim that the "last ditch" (late war production) rifles are not safe to shoot (hurried, poor quality workmanship and inferior material). Others are perfectly comfortable shooting them. Just some food for thought. Last ditch models are characterized, among other things, by fixed rear sights and wooden butt plates.

Accessories can be expensive for good quality. A lot of their leather goods have not held up well. Bayos tended to rust and like others, can get pricey for clean pieces. If you are interested in aftermarket reproduction stuff, www.IMA-USA.com has some but they are pricey and sssllllooowww shippers (3-4 weeks).

Numrich has a pretty good assortment of parts.

[mike3acr]

I don't collect them, but since you brought it up my dad after seeing my collection for the first time in several years, says "you have a lot of old military rifles, why don't you have my Type 99, I got 60 rounds, a bayonet, and a new set of RCBS dies, I'll show you how to make brass" So cool, I have a Type 99 in 7.7 Jap, and will get some good loads, and brass making advice. My first Jap, this sounds like the start of something. I believe dad was saying he made the brass out of 30.06, and trimmed it to length. I can provide details in a month or so, when the parents get settled on reloads if your interested Richard.

[BDA]

Banzai!!!! One question though...What is a mum? :confused: I never got into jap weapons so I don'tknow anything about them.

[DonWally]

BDA,

The mum on a Japanese rifle is a marking on the receiver which designates something to the effect that it is the property of the Emperor. Variations exist as to the exact meaning, but that is it in a nutshell AFAIK. The chrysanthemum is the symbol of the Emperor. :gaga:

For graphics and more info check out:

http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/japanese_markings.html

You can also see the mum on the picture Ktulu posted above. It is above the Japanese symbols just above the open breech. Those symbols stand for 99 Type.

[BDA]

DonWally..thanks for the explanation. I kinda figured that's what you were referring to.