December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/11/2024
Fabulous Nagoya arsenal Japanese Type 99 light machine gun, manufactured in August 1944, and captured by Marines of the 1st Marine division at the battle of Shuri Castle at the south end of Okinawa in July of 1945. All visibly numbered parts match on this gun, including buffer, charging handle, ejection port cover, bolt, op-rod, sear safety bar, barrel, gas regulator, and receiver. Two original unnumbered 30-round magazines are included with this lot as well as an original 2-cell Japanese magazine pouch numbered 6738. Original flash hider present. Both the barrel carrying handle and pistol grip on this gun are smooth, and the buttstock and buttplate have no provision for monopod. This is typical of guns being produced at this factory in late 1944 onwards as a time and cost saving measure to speed production. Electronic NFA registry indicates “NAGOYA” as the manufacturer. PROVENANCE: This machine gun was given to Peter Mills, a Navy officer then serving aboard ship at Okinawa by an “Engineer of the First Marine Division”, as documented by a handwritten account by the veteran dated October 19, 1996. This account was substantiated by the veteran’s son who was personal representative of the veteran’s estate and documented by sworn affidavit. A photocopy of the handwritten letter, typed copy of the letter, and affidavit are included with this lot, as well as an excerpt from the Veteran’s service record showing U.S. Navy service from 3/2/1942 to 3/10/1946. The veteran eventually retired as a Captain in the U.S. Naval Reserve. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is fine to extremely fine original finish on all metal surfaces with the finish on the barrel and cylinder near excellent. Wood of carrying handle near excellent while the pistol grip and buttstock are fine to extremely fine with dings and handling marks. Buttplate is a uniform brown patina. Bore is near excellent, shiny and bright. Bolt is extremely fine. This is a full-auto only machine gun. It is worthy to note that this gun and accessories are, “as brought back”, and as such, are in an exceptional original condition, not having been altered. Finding such a Japanese machine gun, captured at a noted engagement, and an unaltered live gun, properly cared for in the veteran’s family is a very rare occurrence. It would be pretty hard to improve on this specimen of this model. 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 2024-12-56.
Accessories
Japanese Magazine Pouch with 2 mags total
Caliber/Bore
7.7mm Japanese