Japanese T99 Navy Special

[rcb]

As far as I know the Japanese only made one rifle to fire the 7.7x58 cartridge with a cast iron receiver. There was no strain or stress on it because the rear of the barrel was machined so the bolt locked to the barrel. A bamboo cane would have worked as well as all the pressure was on the bolt locked in the end of the barrel. Rest of hardware was cast iron also and all was oversize. The screw look almost hand made with a file and they fit loose. Sight ladder, bayonet band and lug, everything is cast iron and poor fit. But the bolt and barrel were good steel. The late 8's through 12's and 27's do not have cast iron receivers.

[Gargoyle]

Lodestone has reprinted the "Naval Special Rifle and Carbine" book, we have 15 copies, $25pp Lodestone Pubs. Inc., P.O. Box 6, Eva, AL 35621

[arisakadogs]

Those are the most interesting pieces of junk in this hobby :grinning-thumbsup:
Like Roy said they are strong enough, but I always thought how demoralizing it must have been to a soldier to be issued one of these. You had to know the war was being lost to have your government hand you something like this. Still, they are fascinating rifles.