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World War II Field Captured Japanese Type 99 Bolt Action Rifle with Identified U.S.M.C. Uniform Attr

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Rifles Start Price:600.00 USD Estimated At:1,200.00 - 1,800.00 USD
World War II Field Captured Japanese Type 99 Bolt Action Rifle with Identified U.S.M.C. Uniform Attr
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World War II Field Captured Japanese Type 99 Bolt Action Rifle with Identified U.S.M.C. Uniform Attributed to a Veteran of the Battle of Okinawa

Blade front and folding ladder rear sights, with an untouched mum on top of the receiver ring, and the left side showing 34th Series Toyo Kogyo markings. The stock is standard, with the addition of "R F WHITE" carved vertically into the underside ahead of the trigger guard and "RFW" on the right side of the buttstock. The shirt is a green herringbone, with black stenciled USMC markings on the left pocket and faint "36" on the interior, the coat has Private First Class chevrons, a shoulder patch for the 1st Marine Division, an Honorable Discharge Lozenge patch (aka the Ruptured Duck) on the right breast, and a series of 4 ribbons on the left; the Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation with Star, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, and World War II Victory (corresponding medals not included). Matching pants are included. The uniform and the rifle are both attributed to Robert Franklin White, a Private First Class in the United States Marine Corps, and come with an extensive collection of paperwork related to PFC White and his family. Of particular interest are the discharge papers, which specifically cites him as actively engaging the enemy at Okinawa from 1 April 1945 to 15 June, and being wounded in action on 14 June, just a week before the final breakdown of Japanese resistance. One of the last great battles of the Pacific Campaign, Okinawa was also one of the most brutal, with casualties in the six figure range; the human and material cost of the battle is considered by some historians a factor in the American decision to deploy the atomic bomb. While the papers are vague on White's exact actions during the Battle of Okinawa, only listing him as a bayonet-qualified Rifleman, information from the consignor suggests that he operated as a sniper during his service.

Manufucture: Japanese
Model: Type 99
BBL: 26 inch round
Stock: hardwood
Guage: 7.7 mm Japanese
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 38615

The rifle is very fine, with 80% of the original blue finish, showing areas of brown patina and scattered handling marks. The traditional "9/9/TYPE" marking is absent from the receiver ring; this appears to be how it came from the arsenal, as there is no evidence of milling, grinding, or other methods of removal. Stock is very good, with chips, scratches and dents appropriate to combat use. Mechanically fine. The uniform is very good, with minor stains, and the documents show mild foxing and crease tears.