April 11-13, 2023 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2023
The Japanese utilized the Type 97 tank machine gun as the standard machine gun within their armored fighting vehicles during the course of World War II. The development and adaptation of this gun for armored vehicle use played a significant part in Japanese arms development. It is, in many ways, a Japanese “copy” of the highly successful Cech ZB vz.26 machine gun, with the added benefit of having an adjustable gas port. Prior to this gun, the Japanese utilized either a rimmed or semi-rimmed rifle caliber machine gun cartridge. By turning the rim off their semi-rimmed 7.7mm heavy machine gun cartridge, the Japanese found they would not require a curved magazine for this gun. This rimless round became the standard for both their Type 99 rifle and Type 99 machine gun. This Type 97 tank gun was manufactured at the Nagoya arsenal in December of 1940 as indicated by the markings on the right side of the receiver. The barrel is non-matching, however it was produced at the same arsenal the month before this gun was. This cataloger can attest that this gun runs well. One 20 round ZB-26 magazine (which snaps right in and works fine) is included with this gun. Electronic NFA registry indicates, “Unknown” as the manufacturer. PROVENANCE: From the collection of esteemed firearms collector and researcher Edwin F. Libby. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is extremely fine to near excellent original finish with some light pitting on the gas cylinder and thinning to a grey patina at the high edges and contact points such as where the adjustable length buttstock rotates on its spindle. Wood exhibits light handling marks with a couple chips to the wood pistol grip. Hard rubber butt pad is extremely fine and serviceable. Bore is near excellent, shiny and bright. Bolt face is near excellent. This is a full-auto only machine gun. The Japanese Type 97 Tank machine gun is a rather scarce gun in the NFA registry, but a very fun gun to shoot as it is essentially a Japanese version of the ZB-26. One need only to make an adapter to mount to a tripod, or clamp on a bipod. Interest in collecting Japanese machine guns is on the rise, and assuming one can acquire or reload 7.7 mm Japanese ammunition, this can be a fun recreational machine gun as well as a fine collectors item. THIS IS A NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT ITEM AND REQUIRES BATF APPROVAL PRIOR TO TRANSFER. THIS ITEM IS FULLY TRANSFERABLE ON AN ATF FORM 3 OR 4 AS CURIO AND RELIC ELIGIBLE. JWK 2023-04-12
Caliber/Bore
7.7x58mm Arisaka