Anyone know anything about WWII Japanese rifles/bayonets?

I have a guy wanting to swap a rifle he knows little to nothing about for some flight services. He claims it was given to him by a friend a couple of years ago before he (the friend) died. He claims he’s not into guns. Also, that he was offered $1,200.00 for it a couple of years back. Do I smell a rat here? Not sure.

So he sends me about 20 images of the thing. It looks pretty cool. But I’d bet there are quite a few imitations floating around out there that “look pretty cool”.

As of now, I’m not going to lead him on with getting the thing to an appraiser or collector. Just thinking that someone here might know enough to spot a fake, or perhaps give me some information on it from the pictures.

If someone here knows anything (Or someone else that knows anything) about old Japanese rifles, please PM me an email address and I’ll send you the pictures. If you could give me your two cents on it, I’d really appreciate it.

- Shelby

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1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

the condition of the rifle is important but whats more important is proof that and actual U.S. solider brought the weapon home (normally this is a little yellow tag). if its just the gun then the condition will dictate how much its worth but if it has documentation of how it came into the country, or where the person picked it up. Some things to look for on the gun are any serial numbers or stamps on the rifle, and general condition rust ect. hope this helps.

PM Sent.

- Peter.

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1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Probably an Arisaka 38 or 99.

Loads of info on the web.

Unless it's a sniper rifle or folding takedown they can be obtained for 75-150.

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post the pictures here.

http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewforum.php?f=23&sid=54aed230945537feea05ce9e190c4c88

these guys know their stuff!

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thats what i'm thinking. but its tough to tell without pics

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Most definitely an Arisaka. I have a 7.7mm Type 99. I have never seen a nice example let alone a "$1200" quality one.

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1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

The Arisaka ia a very long rifle It is almost too long to be effective.
If you want a nice WWII rifle you should look for the Nagant or the Mauser.
Just my opinion -- don't tase me bro

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On that alone - I think I'll tell him to step off, or step up with cash. No gun trades.

Here's a few of what he sent me. Hard to really tell anything about it.
I'll sent the pics to Peter for his input, but I'm not trading a thing.

Thanks for all the help guys.

- Shelby

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1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

99,mid-late war production.Doesn't have the chrysanthemum ground off but that makes little difference.Lots of toolmarks and chewed screws.
I say $100.00.

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I won't say I'm an expert. Also, with the way the economy is, prices on many things have tanked. On Arisaka rifles, there are two types, a 39 and a 99. The 39 should have milled magazine box and the 99 has a stamped steel magazine box. Besides condition, the main difference in price is if it has the Crythsanthanum (sp) seal or not on the reciever ring. The last prices I saw on collector grade Arisakas was $500-600 for one without a Crythsanthunum and $1200 for one with.
The Crythsanthunum is the Imperial or Emperor's seal. So it was a disgrace for the Japanese to surender a rifle with it. So after the war, the seal was ground off of rifles that were turned over to the US. Rifles with the seal intacted, were/are war booty. Or rifles taken from dead soldiers. I think it was a given back then that soldiers were allowed one or two rifles or pistols to return home with. I have heard of stories that in Europe, they would disarm the local population. Some very expensive rifles and shotguns were taken home.
Then as mentione before, there are other rare models, such as the paratrooper model.
Tom
I'd agree late war production. For some reason the prices on them have skyrocketed in the past few years. Yours looks clean, except for the buggered screws. Also, it looks like the serial numbers match. That's another thing that drives the price up on firearms and some types of cars.
The Jap action realy isn't that bad, except for the saftey. It is actually, a lot stronger that the other war actions.

Not particularly rare. The intact imperial Japanese seal (chrysanthemum) is nice - so add something for that. Lots of these were imported post war as cheap rifles - but all of them had to have the chrysanthemum on the top of the receiver and on the back of the bolt ground off.

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1984 300TD

I would have to agree in its heavily oxidized state. I think it has the AA sight in the 5th photo. $100 or so.

I can't imagine where $1200 came up.

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1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

I see some rust, but not heavy oxidation. The only part is the trigger guard and floor plate, but its a bad picture. I have one, but not complete of the same vintage. They are not finished very well. Rough tool marks and poor machining.

I'm looking at SOG International September 2007 sales paper. They have listed three WW2 Japanese rifles. One has the 'mum' and seems to be late war production: $595. Another is type 39, with ground off 'mum': $575. The third is a paratrooper is 'mum' defaced : $2195. Also listed is an Argentine Mauser 1909, matching no import marks vg to exc, crest and correct markings: $675. Russian carbines from $64 to $99. Some more for rare models or sniper ($339.95).
Tom

I can still pick up superclean Peruvian Mausers for 250-300 from a friend who is a wholesale arms dealer so the high figures you quote are pehaps overly optimistic gun show asking prices for the rubes.

Common guns always take a hit when the economy tanks,but good,high-end arms such as Winchesters,Colt single actions,S&W Schofields and Russians,as well as fine shotguns ALWAYS hold their value and generally keep appreciating steadily.

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