Availability
Though the Arisaka rifle was never exported to the USA in great numbers, there are many thousands available—most having been brought home by Marines and soldiers returning from the Pacific theater. In many cases, the imperial chrysanthemum atop the receiver has been defaced by the surrendering Japanese in order to preserve the Emperor's honor: the mark indicated that the rifle was the Emperor's personal property. Rifles with an intact chrysanthemum bring a premium on the collector market, sometimes almost double the price for a like model defaced rifle. Many have been rechambered to more common calibers, due to the relative scarceness of factory 7.7×58 Arisaka, unlike other rifles of the period, it is particularly suitable because of its strong, safe action.
Read more about this topic: Type 99 Rifle
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