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LOT 3472
World War II Imperial Japanese Nagoya Arsenal Type 2 Bolt Action Paratrooper Rifle with Bayonet and Scabbard - Serial no. 9717, 7.7 mm Japanese cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood stock. Designed as a takedown version of the standard Type 99 Arisaka bolt action service rifle for use by Imperial Japanese Army paratroopers, utilizing a screw wedge on the right side to allow the barrel and forend section to separate from the action and stock section. Features fixed winged blade front sight and folding rear sight with anti-aircraft wings, a retained mum with two added strike lines on top of the receiver, smooth pistol grip stock with cupped buttplate, partial matching serial number “717” marked on the bottom of the bayonet lug, bottom of the barrel lug, bolt handle and extractor along with “685” assembly number on various components. Fitted with a reproduction tan web sling. Includes a Type 30 bayonet with maker markings on the blade indicating manufacture by National Denki (National Electric) under Kokura supervision and numbered “16987” on the rear of the pommel, with scabbard and leather frog. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% original blue finish with some scattered patches of light pitting overall with brown patina on the balance. Stock is also very fine, with scattered scratches and dents, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 3473
World War II Japanese Nagoya Arsenal Type 97 Bolt Action Sniper Rifle with Scope and Case - Serial no. 1879, 6.5 mm Japanese cal., 31 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood stock. Approximately 14,500 Type 97 sniper rifles were manufactured at the Nagoya Arsenal and 8,000 at Kokura Arsenal between 1938-1943. A scope-equipped variant of the Type 38 service rifle, the Type 97 was one of Imperial Japan’s go-to sniper weapons for World War II, and gained great infamy during the “island hopping” campaign in the Pacific. Blade front and folding ladder rear sights. The receiver markings are properly offset to accommodate the scope base, with a crisp Imperial mum above Type 97 markings on top of the receiver ring. The bolt body, firing pin and safety knob are serial numbered “878” one number off the receiver number “1879”, likely factory assembled this way. Matching “879” marked on the bottom of the bayonet lug of the front barrel band, and non-matching “473” marked inside the floorplate. The top of the scope tube is marked “2.5X10” above a circled logo and “99.No.3904/JES” and the scope base is numbered “5429” inside. Fitted with a correct mahogany stock. Includes a correct rubberized canvas scope case with leather fittings.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% plus original blue finish with smooth brown patina on the balance. The stock is also fine and shows numerous dings, scuffs and scratches appropriate for period field use. Mechanically excellent. Scope is very fine with 90% original black painted finish with some minor flaking, and crisp clear optics with a well defined reticle. Scope case is very fine.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
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