Gun & Game

draftingmonkey · 02-11-2012, 10:03 PM

Finally realized that I never created a separate post about this rifle. Got my info tagging along in some other posts (bad on me). Anyway, here is the info on the rifle:

Nagoya Arsenal
Type 99
6th Series
Short Rifle
Mfg'd 4th Qtr of 1943

also have 2-bayonets with scabbards:

Type 30
Blue finish
Quillon hook

The story behind it now. My uncle was serving on the USS Iowa at the end of WWII. He was on board when the surrender was signed, The Iowa was also in Tokyo Harbor along with the Missouri. When my uncle came home, among other things he had the Arisaka with 2 bayonets. He passed in '67 and the rifle came to our family. It sat around tucked under the bed, or in a closet while being abused by a couple of rough-house type boys. Pappy never had the time or money to buy ammo when I was young, what with 5 kids and all. So from 1945 until the end of 2011 the rifle sat unfired collecting dings, dust and scratches. I finally got serious about getting some ammo and hoped to fire it with pappy while home at the holidays, see my write up about my day on the range posted 01/13/2012 (sorry, to lazy to find a link). Anyway, as I mentioned I had to clean all the dust and carpet fibers off. While running a patch down the bore it seemed to come out covered in what look like cosmoline. Gave pappy the first shot and believe it or not, even with years of being mistreated, it still kept the rounds in the bull with the original sight untouched. Shot beautifully with only a little stiffness in the action, which seemed to loosen up after a couple of boxes of ammo going through it. At eh end of the day got her all cleaned up and checked out the bore with a flashlight, and she seemed to be as clean and smooth as an newer, low round count weapon I have ever fired. Anyway, she was a joy to fire and pappy and myself had a great time finally getting to put her through her paces. Enjoy the attached pics.

Pappy taking the first shot in 66+ years (no, my uncle never fired it)