May 8-10, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/8/2024
Very rarely encountered Japanese Type 89 (TE-4 Type) single light machine gun as manufactured Kokura Arsenal in February 1943. Top of receiver has the Kokura arsenal symbol followed by model designation, serial number, and date code of "18.2" for 1943, February. Note that none of the removable internal parts nor the charging handle, buffer retaining latch or sights are present. No magazine present. Visible serial numbers are matching on: receiver, buffer, barrel socket, barrel, and gas regulator. Desirable original amnesty registration paperwork is included with this lot. This gun was amnesty registered as a deactivated gun, and has been legally reactivated to be a “live” gun by “U.S. Armament Corp, Ephrata, PA”, and is so marked on the left side of the receiver. Note that despite being currently registered as “live”, this gun is not in a firing condition, with the chamber and barrel unserviceable. At a minimum the chamber would need to be replaced, and perhaps the barrel and other parts, in addition to finding replacements for the missing parts. The Japanese Type 89 machine gun in this configuration was used in aircraft on a flexible mount, and is mechanically essentially a Type 11 machine gun turned on its side and configured to utilize a pan-type magazine which fed rounds down through the top into the feedway, and then eject spent cases out the lower left side of the receiver. Unfortunately, Type 11 machine gun parts are not compatible with this model. Electronic NFA registry indicates “JAPAN” as the manufacturer. PROVENANCE: Original Amnesty Registration paperwork. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is good original finish with a moderate even brown patina throughout. There is evidence of reactivation work at the chamber, and where the barrel fits into the receiver. Bore is dark in the grooves with worn rifling. This is a full-auto-only machine gun. Wooden carrying handle is solid and serviceable with typical bruises and handling marks. Trigger does actuate. This is a very scarce model of Japanese machine gun to encounter, and magazines for this are even scarcer. If one were fortunate enough to have or find a magazine, and a complete parts kit to pair with this, it would be one of only a very few such specimens available for private ownership in the United States. 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 & RELIC ELIGIBLE. JWK 2024-05-004.
Caliber/Bore
6.5mm Japanese
Paperwork
Amnesty Registration Form