Arisaka Type 99: Early War to Last Ditch, how to tell the difference

Today we are talking about the differences between Early War and Last Ditch examples of Imperial Japan’s Arisaka Type 99 and what features to keep an eye out for.
This will functionally be a part two of our Arisaka Type 99 demo.
Original Demo: • Arisaka Type 99 (7.7 J...
Type 30 Bayonets: • Type 30 Bayonet Evolution

[@davidlockwood6088]

When I was a teenager, over 50 years ago, I obtained a “last ditch” type 99. My father took me to a gunsmith to make sure the rifle was safe to fire, and the gunsmith, who had been a Marine who served in the Pacific showed me the one that he owned. I remember that it was quite crude, the safety knob at the end of the bolt was just an unfinished blob of weld. There was also a large chunk of wood missing from the stock. I asked him about that and he said that it was made by shrapnel from the grenade he’d used to kill the Japanese soldier whose rifle it was.

[@krandom354]

Glad I’m still on night shift to watch this fresh upload. 🙌

[@JOHNMOORE-h7l]

My farther also gave me the the same he was stationed in Okinawa the 99 and 5 banets

[@jeffrichards1537]

I got one by my sister who won it in a raffle. What i could find out it was made in 1938 or 39. It has some wood removed and looks like an American deer rifle. But looks and works well and still has emperors seal on it.

[@nickcyeah]

Although a lack of skilled workers could be plausible id assume most of the drop in craftsmanship was due to last ditch being its the end of the war and it was faster to complete a "last ditch" rifle and get it to the front lines. Just benefited their war effort at that time to produce quantity over quality. You see this a lot with other countries as well like the 1942 mosin nagants for example and the remington "modified" 1903s.. just speed up the process

[@fluffytoaster427]

I’d definitely support that as well. Lacking skill in the workshop is plausible and even likely, but the need to get rifles out the door *NOW* is impossible to argue against considering the logistic behemoth they were up against.

[@jamesosborn5405]

It's my understanding that those sites were designed for the older planes that flew a lot slower than the ones used in WW2. So that site system is kind of a throwback to World war 1 and later was removed because it really had no place for the much faster moving aircraft

[@joemorganeatmyshortschannel]

Very cool

[@Verdha603]

Hey, nice video explaining some of the differences on the various Type 99 Arisaka's as you move through the war. Some points to note is that an additional feature to tell earlier production rifles from later production rifles is that early war and many mid-war rifles had a chrome lined barrel and even a chromed bolt face to help combat degradation from salt water, a historic first for military service weapons. The little hole on the side of the furniture on the earlier production Type 99 was actually a water drainage hole; soldiers would turn the rifle on it's side so the water would drain out the hole if the rifle was wet or still had water inside the receiver or furniture. Another thing to note is the different manufacturers never really standardized on what changes to make in terms of simplification of the rifle; Nagoya would end up swapping over to the simpler, more cylindrical bolts starting in late 1943/early 1944 while Toyo Kogyo would continue to produce rounded bolt handles until the end of the war. For a useful website to help explain differences during production, here's this: type99arisakas.weebly.com/

[@GreatNorthwestWeaponry]

Good info man, thanks!

[@arisukak]

The hole in the stock isn't a gas relief hole, it's mostly just to allow gunk in the dust cover groove to come out when the bolt is cycled so you don't just jam up the gun. The same reason why the Type 38 had a notch in the same part of the stock. Also, that dust cover is from a Type 38, and not a Type 99. They are slightly longer and sometimes can damage the wood when used on Type 99s.

[@GreatNorthwestWeaponry]

I’m fairly certain it is a type 99 dust cover, I have a type 38 as well and they are different lengths. The type 38 dust cover doesn’t even fit on this type of 99. Good to know on the notch though 👍🏻 Edit: I just checked the two dust covers and the one equipped to the Type 99 is about 1/2-3/4 inches shorter than the Type 38. So you are correct about the difference, but I do have the correct covers attached to their respective rifles

[@arisukak]

@@GreatNorthwestWeaponry It's a 38 dust cover. The early Type 38 dust covers have a straight cut on the bolt handle slot, while the later Type 38s and all of the 99s have them offset so it kicks the dust cover back as the bolt is opened. The Type 99 also forgos the guide inside of the cover.

[@zal7782]

Very curious on how the type 99 compares to the k98k and other universal short rifles of the time. Obviously hopelessly outdated compared to a Garand but after handling mine I honestly think it’s the best bet for a military bolt action. Those sights, they feel so natural to line up

[@GreatNorthwestWeaponry]

I’ll definitely be running K98k vs Type 99 in the near future, just gotta find some 8mm Mauser

[@kibbeystovall7546]

There is a way to close the bolt with the firing pin released. First push the bolt handle as far forward as it will go without resistance. Then pull the trigger, which will let the bolt move a little bit more forward. You can pull the trigger during the first closing and make these two operations one, if you like. Finally, release the trigger and then give a firm smack to the bolt handle with the palm of your hand to close it.

[@GreatNorthwestWeaponry]

That works with the majority of cock on close rifles, but in my experience (and I just tested it on both Type 99s and my Type 38) it doesn’t work with the Arisaka. It locks solid if you slide the bold forward in the manner suggested and you will literally break your hand before you get that bolt to turn. That said, this method does work on all other cock on close rifles that I have experience with

[@kibbeystovall7546]

@@GreatNorthwestWeaponry It does work on most of my Arisakas, but you are correct it doesn't work on all of them (apparently including all of yours). I have seen people suggest it SHOULD work on any bolt-matching rifle, but I've not taken the time to seek statistics on that.

[@johnclifton8074]

Why does no one ever mention the trap door that springs down under neath the the lock and in front of the trigger ?

[@nickyminter4271]

Thanks Thomas . I’m a little late at watching the vid . Can’t remember seeing notification. I have the bell on and suggest all subscribers do so ! GREAT Channel ✊

[@GreatNorthwestWeaponry]

Thanks for watching! I’ll take any excuse I can to talk about Arisakas lol

[@davidtonkin8274]

Recently got a 99 model which has not had anything done to it send a relative brought home at end of war. The bolt will not open and have not found information about how to correct. If you anyone can help me please comment. Thank you.

[@abujabartheinsurgentstar206]

The safety is probably on, use your palm to push on the back of the bolt and rotate to the left, notice the the cap looking part at the end will turn. That is the safety, the bolt will not cycle while it is on. Hope this helps!

[@abujabartheinsurgentstar206]

If my explanation isn't enough try looking at a video of how to operate the safety on the type 99 arisaka :)

[@joemaimaron2701]

My arisaka is a Nagoya rifle it isn’t a series rifle intact mum and aa sights but as usual mismatching bolt no dust cover or monopod would you know how they are dated

[@GreatNorthwestWeaponry]

It can be tough with the “no series” examples, it’d be an early one though. Probably 1941 or early 1942

[@williamvaughn9870]

I have a Arisaka rifle but don't know much about it it was my father's. Is there an email I can send you pictures of it and perhaps you would know more about it? Thank You

[@GreatNorthwestWeaponry]

Yeah man send it to [e-mail] and I’ll see if I van help 👍🏻

[@mikewestervelt9440]

Awesome video sir! Btw this is _milsurp_fanatic_ 👌

[@GreatNorthwestWeaponry]

Much appreciated!