October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/23/2019
Japanese Type 96 light machine gun as manufactured by Kokura in 1942, June. Visible serial numbers are matching on barrel, receiver, lower assembly, charging handle, buffer, as well as safety. Bolt does not match nor does original 30-round magazine. Bottom stock screw not present. No flash hider present. Consignor states this is a reactivated gun and there is evidence of this detectible in the feedway and on the joint between barrel and receiver. The Japanese Type 96 machine gun was an effective full-auto only automatic rifle which fired from an open bolt. This model was superseded by the more powerful Type 99 machine gun chambered in 7.7 Japanese, and as production of the Type 99 ramped up, the Type 96 was discontinued. This specimen incorporates the improved wedge and nut barrel retention feature implemented on the newer Type 99 model, not often found on the Type 96. In fact, this gun is misregistered in the NFA registry as a Type 99. This can be requested correction upon transfer. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is extremely fine to near excellent refinish over some very small areas of light pitting, particularly on the buttplate and magazine well dust cover. There is a chip off of the carrying handle as is common, and otherwise small dings and handling marks to the other wood furnishings. There is evidence of reactivation inside magazine well which does not affect functionality. Mechanics are fine. Bore is fine with a coating of preservative oil. Magazine is in good condition with some pitting to floorplate yet presents well. The high serial number in the 51 thousand range and the fact this gun was completed in mid-1942 makes this among the last of this model to be produced. A nice WW2 Pacific Theater collector’s 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 2019-10-126