Japanese Type 89 Mortar
Hey guys, newbie here. First time post too. I have a question: I have a friend who inherited a Type 89 "Knee" Mortar from his great uncle who brought it back from a Pacific island in WW2. It has not been de-milled. Story was that his great uncle sneaked it back in his duffle bag. Anyway, after reading all over the net we are confused as to what to do with it. He wants to sell it; is that possible? Is it even legal to own? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. -Jeff
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I believe that the Japanese "Knee Mortar" is a destructive device, as far as the feds are concerned.
It would have to have been registered and papered with them prior to the 1968 Amnesty, to be legally owned at this point in time.
From my prior readings on this forum. From folks much more experienced with the fed and their regs. The only legal recourse your friend has is to donate to a legitimate museum.0 -
More than likely good as a ticket to club fed. Would love to see the look on their faces at a buy back event. 0 -
Good information on that ordnance at:
http://members.shaw.ca/nambuworld/t89pix.htm
P.S. Welcome to the forums. Join in some of the chats over on General Discussion. Pretty entertaining.0 -
Drill a 1/2" hole in the back of the barrel, weld a steel bar across the inside of the barrel. Then sell it for $1200.[:D] 0 -
the hole in the base of the tube has to be equal to the bore size and a bar welded across the bore 0 -
monkeymeat......welcome to the Forum! Your friend has a very potent, and illegal, Japanese mortar. As Rufe has said, it should have been demilled as part of the 1968 law. It was referred to as "knee" mortar which was inaccurate as it would break your bone in heartbeat if fired that way. It was a very effective short range tube that caused our guys many problems in the Pacific campaign. You might want to advise your friend to contact WWII Museums to see if they would be interested. Lots of these kinds of weapons were brought back by our guys during the War on all fronts and appear from time to time from garages and sheds...but it is illegal to have in its present working condition. 0 -
Thanks to everyone who responded. He (nor I) didn't realize the ramifications of having it. He's looking to donate it to a museum now as that seems the best route to take. Thanks again. -Jeff 0 -
You have been given a mix of good and BAD info. You ONLY need to have a hole milled/cut into the tube equal to caliber size and a cross pin welded into the bore, usually place somewhat near to muzzle is best. The better and neater the job is done makes the most value stay. You could donate it to a museum, but you only get a TAX deduction for that, not usually any money. Because ammo for it is just too hard to get and valuable it is really not worth it to keep it active. Once "demilled" as shown above it can be sold. Look at the auctions and you will find them from time to time. 0 -
If he is looking for a Museum that would want it he can email or call The Museum of Kansas National Guard and 35th Division.They would like it,i know because im the weapons committee chairman.Let me know and i will give you the Museum information and yes it will give him a good tax deduction but no money. You would be surprised how many weapons we get that were brought back by returning GIs,MP38,PPSH,Mines,we even got a WWI German MG08 that came out of a barn,they used to shoot it many years ago. 0 -
Sent you an email. 0
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