Original WWII Imperial Japanese Type 99 Display Light Machine Gun with Original Magazine, Live Barrel, Bayonet & Internal Components - Serial 1768
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Original Item: Only One Available. Japanese machine guns very rarely show up for sale, so we are especially proud to offer this fantastic BATF approved non-firing original example. Constructed from a legally demilitarized (de-milled) parts set, this is a wonderful and rare Imperial Japanese WWII Type 99 Display Light Machine Gun. It is built using original parts on an original BATF compliant non-firing display receiver, making this a 100% legal display machine gun. This receiver was created by using portions of the original torch cut receiver, which was correctly angle cut removing 1/4" inch of material with each cut, including one through the barrel bushing. This was combined with some new made steel portions It has properly had a 25% section of the total length completely replaced entirely with solid steel bar stock. Meaning a 1/4 length section of the display receiver is solid steel, making this totally legal to own without a license of any kind.
The barrel of this example had been removed prior to demilitarization of the receiver, so it is still live, with an intact chamber and a great bore. The display gun comes complete with the original bipod, rear monopod, carry handle, and internal components not used during construction. There is also an ORIGINAL MAGAZINE included, which are like hens teeth! This is really a great display setup!
The Type 99 was developed in 1939 as a replacement for the Type 96 LMG and fired the new, heavier 7.7mm Japanese cartridge. These weapons proved to be very successful throughout the war by all the Japanese forces and were used on all the Japanese held islands and mainland China. They are very similar in appearance to the British Bren gun in that they have a top mounted curved box magazine, a forward mounted folding bipod, and a new quick change, finned barrel that featured a top mounted carrying handle. These were a well made machine gun that featured all machined parts with a hard wood buttstock and pistol grip.
Due to how the BATF requires demilitarization of the receiver, unfortunately the markings on the right side were mostly obliterated by the flame torch. We can still see however 九 式. towards the top. Kyuu (九) is Japanese for number 9, and shiki (式) is the word for type, so it reads "9 Type", which is a partial marking. This originally would have read 九 九 式, while the earlier Type 96 would originally have been marked 九 六 式, so this is definitively a Type 99. The date looks to be partly present, but we can only see a number 8, probably a partial "昭 18" marking, for 1943.
There is no serial number visible on the receiver, however many components are marked with serial number 1768, including the internal components and most likely the barrel. We suspect this was a Matching Set prior to demilitarization, however without the markings on the receiver, there is no way to confirm this. The inert display receiver has been painted with our lovely gunmetal gray paint to give it a great look. The other components have a lovely aged blued finish, with some past peppering in areas.
The butt stock and pistol grip are both original and have a lovely color, however both definitely show wear and damage from use in service. The pistol grip has a large gouge on the back, and shows some scratching and chipping to the ribbed texture. The butt stock has an old Intelligence Department label on it, but also shows cracking and a hole in the right side. We are not sure if this is some type of shrapnel damage, or just damage from service, but it definitely gives it a great look. The front carry handle is present, and as usually seen, some of the high ribbed wood grip is cracked off, particularly on the bottom.
The front bipod is in very good shape and fully functional, showing just a few dents to the legs. The rear monopod on the butt stock is still present and fully functional, a real rarity, and the front flash hider, easily removed, is also still present. A Japanese Type 30 Arisaka bayonet has been fitted under the barrel, complete with scabbard, though it is questionable how often this was actually done in the field.
The Type 99 was probably the most successful Japanese Army machine gun of the Second World War. It looks like and was used like the famous British Bren gun, including the top-mounted magazine, a folding bipod, and a quick-change barrel. Unlike the Bren gun, however, the Type 99 was equipped with a mount for the standard Japanese rifle bayonet.
This is a very rare and desirable machine gun as not many were brought back by returning GIs as it is a heavy bulky weapon. A fantastic example of one the primary WWII Japanese light machine guns with a live barrel and some great accessories. Ready to display!
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey, and Washington
This product is not available for international shipping.
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
- This item is completely legal within the USA. International Military Antiques, Inc observes all Federal, State and Local laws. Everything for sale on ima-usa.com is completely legal to own, trade, transport and sell within the United States of America. Every display machine gun and machine gun parts set and gun sold by IMA, Inc is engineered to be inoperable according to guidelines provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF). Please note that the requirements for each display gun are decided on a per case basis by the BATF, and may require deactivation or omission of some internal components. For more information on this display gun, please contact us. Not available for Export.
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