Arisaka Type 2 Paratrooper 7.7 Japan Bolt Action Rifle Takedown Type 99 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2820
LSB#: 210917MW09
Make: Nagoya Arsenal, Japan
Model: Type 2 Paratrooper (Takedown Type 99 Arisaka)
Serial Number: 1193
Year of Manufacture: 1942 – 1944
Caliber: 7.7x58mm (7.7 Jap)
Action Type: Bolt Action, Internal Magazine
Markings: There is no visible import mark. The top of the receiver has had its “chrysanthemum” (the Imperial ownership seal) removed. It is still marked with 2 Japanese characters that translate to “Type 2”. The left side of the receiver is marked with the assembly number “956”, the serial number, the symbol for the Nagoya Arsenal, and with a small Japanese stamping. The left side of the barrel next to the receiver, both halves of the metal joining area (left side), and the takedown knob on the right are all marked with a matching assembly number “956”. The joining lug on the bottom rear of the barrel, bottom of the bolt handle, extractor, underside of the safety knob, and the firing pin are all marked with the last three digits of the serial number. The bottom of the bayonet lug is marked with numbers that do not correlate to the serial number. There are small Japanese stampings on the rear of the bolt handle. There is decorative metalwork on the rear of the safety.
The base of the Type 30 Bayonet blade is marked with the 2 symbols for Matsushita National (page 46 of Larry Johnson’s book, Japanese Bayonets…1870 to the Present).
Barrel Length: Approximately 25 ½ Inches
Sights / Optics: The front sight is an inverted “V” post set between two protective ears. The rear sight ladder has a fixed aperture when down and a sliding aperture when flipped up. The ladder is marked from “3 – 15”. The sides fold out to be used as anti-aircraft sights. They are marked “2” in the middle and “3” on the ends. There are inverted “V” notches on each side of the AA sights.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock shows an Arsenal Repair below the rear sight. Splicing lines are visible from the repair.
The stock has a pistol grip, finger grooves, nosecap with bayonet lug, hole for the included cleaning rod, barrel band with sling loop, sling loop on the left of the butt with a scallop above it, and a metal buttplate. There is a metal joining mechanism below the receiver and barrel shank. The metal wraps around the stock and has a “D” ring takedown screw on the right side. There is a drain hole on the bottom of the stock next to the joining metal and a drain hole to the right rear of the joining metal. A section of surface wood is missing between the joining metal and the bottom metal. The wood shows numerous scrapes, scratches & compression marks. Several have damaged small portions of surface wood. Most of these marks have been oiled over. The LOP measures 12 ½ inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition as refurbished.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The lands are bright, the grooves are semi bright, and the polygonal rifling is well defined. There is some fouling in the grooves which should clean up. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The top of the receiver shows tool marks where the chrysanthemum was removed. The metal shows scrapes, small scratches, and varying degrees of discoloration from oxidation. The front of the barrel shows some thinning from mounting the bayonet. The screw heads show heavy use and oxidation. The chrysanthemum has been removed. The remaining markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The rifle can be taken down and put together properly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
The bayonet mounts the rifle properly.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with a Mid-War Type 30 Bayonet, Scabbard & Belt Frog. The bayonet blade shows scrapes & thinning consistent with scabbard insertion & removal. The handle metal shows discoloration from oxidation and light surface erosion. The grip wood shows scrapes & scratches. The metal scabbard shows scrapes, discoloration from oxidation, and light surface erosion. The leather belt frog shows scrapes, surface creasing, surface loss, and discoloration. The bayonet, scabbard & frog are each in about Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: The Japanese Type 2 Paratrooper is an Arisaka Type 99 Takedown Rifle made during WWII. This Paratrooper looks good and has a bright bore. The chrysanthemum has been removed, which is common, but the rifle has lots of clear markings on the metal which include matching numbers on many of the parts. The rifle comes with a Mid-War Type 30 Bayonet, Scabbard & Belt Frog. This Type 2 Paratrooper is a Rare Arisaka variant and will add nicely to a WWII collection.
Here is some Type II info from www.nambuworld.com/type2paratrooppix.htm: “The Type 2 Paratrooper rifle is basically a take-down version of the Type 99 Arisaka rifle…The Japanese experimented with several versions of paratroop rifles, including ones with folding stocks and an interrupted thread-style take-down before settling on this one, which has a screw-in wedge that holds the two halves together. The Type 2 is the only paratroop rifle that was produced in any real quantity (i.e. more than a few hundred), and even it is rare, with only about 21,200 known to have been produced. The model designation comes from the year based on the Japanese system that counted from the date of the mythological founding of the Japanese Empire by Emperor Jimmu in 660 B.C. By this system, the Western year 1942 when the gun was adopted was 2602, with the “two” becoming the model designation.”