I have, what I think is, an Arisaka Type 99 Paratroop Japanese WWII rifle, I got from my Grandfather.
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nineason/detail?.dir=/86eb&.dnm=978a.jpg
I do not know too much about it, and only realized it was a Paratroop model when I took it to the gunshow last weekend. They were informative but not certain about it.

Its features include:
Dust cover on Bolt;
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nineason/detail?.dir=/86eb&.dnm=c3b7.jpg
Cleaning rod in stock;
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nineason/detail?.dir=/86eb&.dnm=dcaf.jpg
The "Mum" was rubbed off;
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nineason/detail?.dir=/86eb&.dnm=9c7c.jpg
It can break down into 2 parts at the reciever;
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nineason/detail?.dir=/86eb&.dnm=9fa4.jpg
The sling may or may not be original, it is canvas strap and appears really old; (see previous link)


The guys at the show told me that the butt of the stock is made of 2 pieces of wood and they usually seen splitting. Mine however is intact.
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nineason/detail?.dir=/86eb&.dnm=88cc.jpg
The normal Arisakas run for about $75-300, but the guys said the Paratroop versions are about $800-$1200, and that is with the "mum" rubbed off. I am not trying to get rid of it, just trying to find out what I have.

some more pics can be found at http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nineason/album?.dir=/86eb

Thanks.
-9r

PS I was having troubles including pics on this so I had to link them to a yahoo photo album, I hope yall can see them.
Having problems viewing pics, still trying.

That is what you have ! This is the take down paratrooper rifle used by the Japs in ww2 ! They used to throw these rifles away as know one would by them years ago ! Now they are collectors items ! Clean it up and lock it up ! And keep on going to shows with out the rifle and learn ! JAGG

What is a good way to clean it up. i am planning on using 0000 steelwool on the steel. but the wood i am not sure about, also what would be a good preservative for both the steel and the wood?

Don't steel wool this thing to death ! Just use the 4 o wool and some WD-40 on the rust areas and leave everything else alone ! Take the metal out of the wood to clean and use a good car wax on the metal when rust is gone and rub some butchers floor wax on the wood ! That should last a long time in most parts of this country ! Washington State ? JAGG

Thanks Jagg
I won't steelwool the thing to death only the pitted areas, not too much rust on it right now. I am kinda weary of taking it apart too much because I am not sure what condition the unsee-ables are in, I might break it or not be able to get it back together. I will wax it up pretty well though.
-9r

niner, following WW2, the U.S. Arsenal tested all the Infantry rifles used by various Nations and found the Type 99, 7.7mm Japanese Rifles were the strongest of any rifles tested. These old rifles were able to digest loads that would blow up other rifles like the famous Mausers, Enfields, etc.

Ammo was available at one time - you might be able to find a few rounds just to add to your collection. Supposedly, a number of these rifles were converted by owners/gunsmiths to 7.7-'06 after WW2.

Chuck Hawks has a nice article on this rifle and the cartridge on his webiste. It reads in part:

"The 7.7x58mm was adopted by the Japanese military in 1939. The original intention was to replace the previous (and successful) 6.5mm Arisaka with a more powerful cartridge similar to those used by Britain, Germany, and the USA. In the event, both the new 7.7mm and the older 6.5mm served throughout the Second World War.

A new Model 99 Arisaka bolt action rifle was designed for the 7.7mm cartridge. Like the previous Model 1905 Arisaka rifle on which it was based, the Model 99 was an exceptionally strong military action. To the best of my knowledge, the 7.7x58 cartridge has never been offered in a production sporting rifle.

The 7.7x58 was apparently designed to duplicate the ballistics of the famous .303 British service cartridge. The Japanese military load gave a 175 grain spitzer bullet a MV of 2400 fps at a pressure of about 42,000 psi, which is far below what the action can handle.

Visually, the 7.7mm Japanese is a modern looking rimless cartridge with less body taper than the .303 British, although it uses the same .311-.312" diameter bullets. The case length is 58mm (2.27") and the shoulder angle is 25.5 degrees. The case has a .470" rim diameter......

7.7x58 ammunition is factory loaded by Norma of Sweden. A 130 grain bullet has been offered at a muzzle velocity (MV) of 2950 fps with 2510 ft. lbs. of muzzle energy (ME).

More popular is the Norma factory load with a 180 grain bullet at a MV of 2493 fps and ME of 2485 ft. lbs. The trajectory of the latter looks like this (Norma figures): +2.6" at 100 yards, 0 at 200 yards, and -10.5" at 300 yards....."



GOOD LUCK!

Actually from what I have found online and asked about around town. the 7.7 is still in production by Norma. Its a little pricey for me right now around $40/box. If/when I do get a box though, I would not shoot them, I would just keep them to go along with the gun.
-9r

This past weekend was another gunshow, and the guy who told me what my gun was and how much it was worth was there again and he remembered me (I didn't take the gun in this time though) but he had a bayonet with bluing still on and in pretty good shape. Since my fiancee thought it would be cool and since it was a valuable gun, she thought she would get it for me, so now I have a bayonet for it. Granted the symbols don't match up (symbols of which armory at they were built) but it is still cool none-the-less. Just thought I would share. I'll get pics up soon.

Might be an interesting tidbit about your rifle....
It probably was in an arsenal at the end of the war, rather than in the field.
The dust covers tended to rattle, and were usually discarded quickly by troops in combat. Also, the Mum is a symbol of the Emporer, so arsenal staff ground the Mum off before surrendering the rifles to occupation forces. Rifles picked up off a bgattlefield will have the Mum still on them. Or, so I've heard.....

One thing I have seen posted on some of the mil-surp forums is that the "Mum" was also ordered to be ground off of battlefield captured rifles that were still "in theatre" at the end of the war. Something about an order supposedly issued by MacArthur as a means to help our new found "allies" save face! :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Go figure.