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Arisaka 99 question

Mgderf
I recently acquired a nice Arisaka model 99 w/mum in tact, anti-aircraft sights w/ wings. It is in good shape with only surface rust on the outside.
Bore is shiny and clean.
I started looking on the auction side to try to determine a value and came across the designation of "last ditch" rifle on several auctions.

What is a "last ditch" rifle, and can anyone point me to info. to help identify the age, or other markings?

Thanks in advance.
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • 11b6r
    "last ditch" refers to rifles being made while the armories wre getting the crap pounded out of them by B-29 bombers. Fit, finish and materials tend to be rough and crude. http://www.cruffler.com/trivia-September00.html
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  • gary wray
    Mgderf....."last ditch" rifles were about one step above junk although there is collector interest in them. Lousy stocks, rudimentary sights, rough as a cobb metalwork in many cases, but they still worked! Most were made in 1945 when US subs/Navy had Japan frozen out of imports from Korea and SE Asia. Your 99 is not that and it sounds as if it is all there. Does it have its metal bolt cover? If it does, check carefully with the glass to see that the serial # on the rim match the rifle. Most Japanese troops threw them away as them made too much noise so finding one complete makes it even more valuable. Good luck!
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  • Grasshopper
    It is definately not a lst ditch as pointed out above. Airctaft wings are some of the "earlier" types,,,,and the more you study Arisakas,,the more you will be confused. There are SO MANY variations it will make your head swim. Quite a interesting item though never to be reproduced ever again. ..nambu
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  • Fatstrat
    There are 3 basic types of Type 99 Arisaka. "Early" as in early war. "Transitional" or "Substitute". These are mid war produced rifles on which the Japanese began to delete features. And as stated before, the "Last Ditch" rifles made in 1944-45.
    Early T-99's are while utilitarian,very strong and well made rifles. The mid war rifles were still of good quality, differing mainly in the deletion or modification of several early war rifle features. But also exhibiting some rougher machining shortcuts. Mid war rifles also exhibit a mixing of early and substitute features as existing stores of early features were used up.
    The last ditch rifles were of poor quality. And lacked several feature the early/mid war rifles had. Cleaning rod, adjustable sights etc. And should be considered questionable in safety to fire.
    Here's a wbsite that should help you ID your rifle. If you need any further help. feel free to ask.
    http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/japanese_markings.html
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  • duckhunter
    Last ditch had a wooden butt plate.
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  • Mgderf
    quote:Originally posted by Fatstrat
    [br
    Here's a wbsite that should help you ID your rifle. If you need any further help. feel free to ask.
    http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/japanese_markings.html


    THANK YOU for that link! Looks like I have a LOT of researching to do. I also picked up a "Smellie" rifle-Australian made Enfield No.1 MKIII*
    built at the Lithgow Arsenal in Australia in 1942. That doesn't seem to be much easier to find out about!

    I do appreciate your help!
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