Make: Nagoya Arsenal

Model: Type 99

Serial Number: 81135 (Series 5)

Year of Manufacture: Circa, 1941-43

Caliber: 7.7x58mm Japanese

Action Type: Bolt action, internal 5 round magazine

Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “81135 ” with a series 5 mark and a Nagoya Arsenal mark. The top of the receiver is marked with Japanese Kanji that translates “99 Type”. All serialized parts are matched to the receiver. The right side of the stock is marked, “EDWARD O. BARTLET / Maine / TOKYO / 1945 / LUZON P.I.” with black paint. The “mum” has been ground away, as was commonly done at the end of the war.

Barrel Length: 26”

Sights / Optics: The front front sight is a triangular post set on a raised base with protective wings. The rear sight is a peephole flip up ladder sight marked out to 15.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The wood stock has a semi-pistol grip, finger grooves, nose cap with bayonet lug, hole for its included cleaning rod, barrel band w/ monopod block, two sling loops, through bolt, and a metal buttplate. The stock sports its signature split. There are scratches and compressions throughout. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 12 1/2” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The chrome bore is bright and the rifling is well-defined. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.5/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows light operation wear, thinning on the leading edges and muzzle with some moderate patina. The action has moderate wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The Japanese Type 99 Arisaka was one of the most durable and combat-effective bolt-action rifles of World War II. Produced at the Nagoya Arsenal, this Series 5 example reflects mid-war production values, retaining early features such as the protected front sight, monopod block, and full-length cleaning rod. Chambered in 7.7x58mm, the Type 99 was Japan’s answer to the increasingly powerful infantry rifles of the Allies, and its robust chrome-lined bore, simplified machining, and battlefield reliability made it a formidable weapon in the hands of Imperial troops across the Pacific theater. What truly sets this rifle apart, however, is its personalized battlefield provenance. The right side of the stock is boldly marked in black paint with “EDWARD O. BARTLET / Maine / TOKYO / 1945 / LUZON P.I.” — a vivid and likely wartime or post-surrender inscription by a returning American serviceman. Luzon was the site of major U.S. combat operations in the Philippines in 1945, and this rifle was almost certainly captured during or after those campaigns, then marked by its captor and brought back as a war trophy. Rifles with GI souvenir inscriptions like this are rarely encountered in such clear and complete condition, making this not only a collectible firearm but a tangible artifact of individual soldier history.

This example is all-matching and retains about 70% of its original metal finish. The bore is chrome-lined, bright, and in excellent condition, rating a 9.5/10. Though the follower is missing, the action remains functional, and the rifle presents very well overall. For collectors of WWII Japanese arms, personalized war trophies, or rifles with U.S. Pacific Theater provenance, this Type 99 offers far more than just historical interest—it is a named battlefield souvenir that captures the convergence of two nations’ histories in one remarkable piece.