Rifle questions

[Josh Beckett]

The japanese never got rid of the accessories on their rifles. I read about something on gunboards how there was a japanese private who lost his muzzle cover and they had the entire company search the training grounds until it was found.

My personal belief is that they were either lost post war by our vets, or were discarded by our vets. I also believe some parts were removed for scrap drives in Japan.

[MikeP]

There is some value to your rifle.
It is in nice shape.
Pods are $150+,
Bayonets reaching that.
Rod is a plus.
DC is a plus-matching number even better.
The safety and FP are numbered parts-this reduces value SOME.
They can be found fairly cheap.

Superman could not deface a mum with a bayonet or sword.
This has been tested a few times.
Usually a chisel was used to make an X or several slashes.
Most simply ground down.
Some variations were done by the Japanese when they took rifles out of service for schools or other purposes.

I have a Marine friend with a 100% as issued T99. He knows nothing about collecting, but joked about hearing rattling dust covers.
He also has a sword with a chunk shot out of the blade by him.
I ran recon and you would not believe how some noises travel simply being foreign to the natural environment.
I think if DCs were discarded it would be under deteriating combat conditions the Japanese experienced.
Garrison would have been a different deal.

[edbullet]

Thanks for all the help, the rifle now has a bid of $220 and the action doesnt end till sunday so I think it is going to go for too much. If I can get it for around that price I might take it, just wish the safety was not missing.
Ed

[Johnnie]

The japanese never got rid of the accessories on their rifles. I read about something on gunboards how there was a japanese private who lost his muzzle cover and they had the entire company search the training grounds until it was found.

My personal belief is that they were either lost post war by our vets, or were discarded by our vets. I also believe some parts were removed for scrap drives in Japan.

I went back and looked at the number of photos of Japanese soldiers I have downloaded from the net and in all cases that I can find, the dust covers are still on the rifles. Most of thse pics were taken in China. Yet all of my references showing captured Japanese small arms in the Pacific (unfortunatly in storage in the States) I can remember none showing rifles with covers.
Interesting subject. We will probably never know the real answere unless someone finds a Japanese infantry vet who can comment on it.

Johnnie

[edbullet]

If anyone cares the rifle went for $380.00. Which I think is way too much with what missing.

[Johnnie]

If anyone cares the rifle went for $380.00. Which I think is way too much with what missing.

I agree. I think people are prone to pay way to much for many militaria items. With a bit of patience, I have always been able to find what I wanted at a reasonable price.

Johnnie