However, the two years following the "K" were stamped in the traditional Japanese way of presenting the year of date. My theory is this: once production went to Miroku, the same numbering convention was used as in Belgium. I have a theory I wanted to share and see what you guys think and whether the serial numbers out there can either prove or disprove my theory. Since I have one such model in 308, I wonder my rifle is a "typo" rifle, typos in the early years after the move from Belgium and prior to Browning's standardization of serial numbers in 1975.
XXXXXK74 was accidentally punched in as XXXXXK47. Just great stuff.Īfter reading the very excellent BLR article by Bruce Hamlin, I could not help but note a couple of comments on the possibility that early Japanese BLR numbers got somehow transposed, i.e. I am just fascinated with them, as much as I am with the pre-64 Win 94's.
Steinel Ammunition is about the only manufacturer that is consistently producing what appears to be quality ammunition in a number of historic calibers, including 6.5 & 7.7 Japanese.I own have three pre-81 BLRs in. During the shortage, however, they ceased production to meet the demands of more common calibers and haven’t restarted those lines. ammunition shortage during the Obama Presidency, major manufacturers would produce limited runs of 6.5mm and 7.7 mm Japanese ammunition.
If you are shooter, you will find that the most challenging aspect of owning Japanese rifles is finding ammunition. All original, early rifles will bring prices more commensurate with other military firearms of the time period. Last-ditch rifles, can bring substantially less or more, depending on condition. In the world of WWII military surplus firearms, Type 99 rifles are inexpensive acquisitions Most can be purchased in the $300-$500 range depending on manufacture and quality. Nagoya was the most prolific of the manufacturers producing slightly less than 1.1 million rifles. The rifle illustrated here is an early production 0 series Type 99 produced by Nagoya Arsenal. While the two-piece stock was retained in later production, the buttplate was simplified to a flat piece of wood, and the sling swivel would eventually be reduced to a hole drilled to accommodate a length of rope. On the left side of the stock is a two-screw sling swivel.