WWII Arisaka Type 2 Paratrooper Matching Type 99 7.7 Japan Bolt Rifle C&R

SOLD FOR: $2676

LSB#: 230725RY005

Make: Nagoya Arsenal, Japan

Model: Type 2 Arisaka “Paratrooper”. Takedown Type 99 Arisaka

Serial Number: 6686

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 the Japanese characters that translate to “Type 2”. The left side of the receiver is marked with the serial number “6686”, and the Japanese symbol for the Nagoya Arsenal. Both halves of the metal joining area and the takedown knob on the right are marked with the matching assembly number “316”. The joining lug on the bottom rear of the barrel, the bottom of the bayonet lug, the bottom of the bolt handle, the extractor, the bottom of the safety, and the firing pin are each marked with the last 3 digits of the serial number “686”. There are small stampings on the rear of the bolt handle. There is decorative metal work on the safety knob.

Barrel Length: Approximately 25 1/2 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 sides fold out to be used as anti-aircraft sights. There are inverted V notches on each side of the AA sights.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The three piece stock has a pistol grip, finger grooves, nose cap with bayonet lug, hole for the missing cleaning rod, barrel band with sling loop, sling loop on the left of the butt with a finger groove above it, and a metal buttplate. The buttplate and stock hardware show scrapes and light surface erosion. The drain hole in the belly of the stock has been filled with a screw. The left side of the grip shows an empty screw hole. There is a metal joining mechanism below the front of the receiver and the barrel shank. It wraps around the stock and has a “D” ring takedown knob on the right side. The takedown screw is captured so it won’t be lost in the field. The wood shows numerous scrapes, scratches, and compression marks. The LOP measures 12 1/2 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttsock. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The lands are bright, the grooves are semi bright, and the polygonal rifling is deep. There is fouling in the bore which should clean up some. There is no erosion.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 9 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The metal shows small scrapes & scratches as well as discoloration from oxidation. The barrel shows light surface erosion. The screw heads show use. The top of the receiver shows tool marks and oxidation where the chrysanthemum was removed. Most of the remaining markings are well defined. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
The rifle can be taken down and reassembled properly.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The Type 99 Arisaka rifle was a bolt-action rifle used by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. It was named after its designer, Colonel Nariakira Arisaka. The Type 99 was a reliable and durable weapon, but it was heavy and difficult to operate in confined spaces. It was used extensively in the Pacific Theater and some were also used by the Imperial Japanese Navy.
The Type 2 Paratrooper rifle is basically a take-down version of the Type 99 Arisaka rifle. The Japanese experimented with several versions of paratrooper 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 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 founding of the Japanese Empire in 660 B.C. By this system, the Western year 1942 when the gun was adopted was 2602, with the “2” becoming the model designation.

This Japanese Type II Paratrooper was made between 1942 and 1944 at the Nagoya Arsenal. The chrysanthemum on the top of the receiver has been removed, which is common on surrendered Japanese rifles. The rifle still has other deep markings including matching assembly numbers and matching part numbers. This Type 2 Arisaka paratrooper has a strong bore and will add to your WWII collection.

…Now go shoot something!