Filled the Japanese slot in my collection last night off Gunbroker. Here is a totally matching Toyo Kogyo Series 31 Type 99 long rifle. The Toyo Kogyo (now known as Mazda) arms factory was located in the Hiroshima Prefecture. The 31st series was produced in the second quarter of 1943. With a serial number of 81350, I assume it was made late in the 2nd quarter - either May or June. I also assume the Japanese used 'series' as the Germans used letter block suffixes, but the Japanese simply continued to count over the years and not a single year as did the Germans.
The 'twist' here is that the rifle has been converted to .30-06, and I thought it would be a great bookend for my Norge converted bcd41 K98k.
From Wikipedia:
"During the Korean War, approximately 126,500 short and 6,650 long Type 99 Rifles were re-chambered under American supervision at the Tokyo arsenal to fire the then-standard .30-06 Springfield cartridge. Apparently intended for the South Korean gendarme, few rifles appear to have been issued at the end of the war in 1953. These rifles were fitted with a lengthened magazine well and had a small notch cut in the top of the receiver to accommodate the .30-06 round's 1/3 inch greater length. Accuracy suffered, due to the difference in cartridges, rifling rate and characteristics, but they were nonetheless functional."
The chamber was reamed out by 5mm to seat the longer American round. This rifle lacks the legend lacks the “US Cal. 30,” and thus may not be a US Military conversion, but many examples were converted to .30-06 elsewhere, including here in the US. This rifle has all the 'toys' - AA sights, monopod, and full mum. Non-import marked. The sling and muzzle cover were not included in the auction. I've ordered a reproduction rubberized canvas sling for it.
These are the seller's pics.
Thanks for the look.
T
The 'twist' here is that the rifle has been converted to .30-06, and I thought it would be a great bookend for my Norge converted bcd41 K98k.
From Wikipedia:
"During the Korean War, approximately 126,500 short and 6,650 long Type 99 Rifles were re-chambered under American supervision at the Tokyo arsenal to fire the then-standard .30-06 Springfield cartridge. Apparently intended for the South Korean gendarme, few rifles appear to have been issued at the end of the war in 1953. These rifles were fitted with a lengthened magazine well and had a small notch cut in the top of the receiver to accommodate the .30-06 round's 1/3 inch greater length. Accuracy suffered, due to the difference in cartridges, rifling rate and characteristics, but they were nonetheless functional."
The chamber was reamed out by 5mm to seat the longer American round. This rifle lacks the legend lacks the “US Cal. 30,” and thus may not be a US Military conversion, but many examples were converted to .30-06 elsewhere, including here in the US. This rifle has all the 'toys' - AA sights, monopod, and full mum. Non-import marked. The sling and muzzle cover were not included in the auction. I've ordered a reproduction rubberized canvas sling for it.
These are the seller's pics.
Thanks for the look.
T
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