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Rare WWII Japanese Type 99 Pressure Test Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:600.00 USD Estimated At:1,500.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Rare WWII Japanese Type 99 Pressure Test Rifle
This is a very rare original WWII Japanese Type 99 pressure test rifle. These rifles were produced on a very limited basis by both the major rifle factories and were used by the Japanese ammunition factories to test or check rifle cartridge chamber pressures. The general process was to insert a copper cylinder or disc between the upper and lower pistons which would compress during firing. Based on the amount of resultant deformity of the copper crusher (how much it flattened out) that reading would translate to a pressure level on a triage table that would indicate if the rifle ammunition was being produced to the correct pressure and velocity levels. This model has the original reinforced chamber with truncated cone at the forward end of the receiver that still has the original pressure test pistons and assembly on top. The left side of the receiver is marked with the intertwined cannon balls of the Kokura factory on the top of the receiver, pressure chamber and barrel are all correctly serial numbered "6", with the number "96" on the pressure assembly. Bolt is numbered "4". There are several examples of this type of rifle pictured in Honeycutt and Anthony's book "Military Rifles of Japan" (pages 175-176).
BBL: 27 inch round
Stock: hardwood
Gauge: 7.7 mm Japanese
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 6
Condition: Very fine, with 95% plus original blue finish remaining with the balance a smooth brown patina. The revarnished stock is fine with a large dent (left side) and a couple shallow pressure dents, along with some scattered minor dings. Mechanically fine.