1014 FULLY TRANSFERABLE JAPANESE HITACHI TYPE 99 LMG

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 4,000.00 USD
Estimated at 8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
COMPLETE WITH SCOPE & BIPOD. Cal. 7.7. S# 673. Bbl. 21.5" Mfg. March, 1942. An amazing example of an original Japanese Type 99 machine gun. The Type 99 was developed in 1939 as a replacement for the Type 96 LMG in order to utilize the much more powerful 7.7mm Japanese cartridge. It proved to be one of the most successful Japanese machine gun designs of the WWII era. Barrel incorporates enormous circular cooling fins, along w/ 5.5" cone flash hider as evidence of being heavily inspired in design by the early French Hotchkiss heavy machine gun. The heavy, machined parts are accentuated w/ a hardwood shoulder stock & serrated pistol grip. No provision for monopod below buttstock. Solid front sight blade w/ out radium insert. Mismatched numbers throughout. Well preserved blued finish. Receiver markings include the serial number, "673" over "17.3" indicating Showa Era year 17, 3rd month translating to the manufacturing date of March, 1942. Due to the center placement of the magazine, the sights are offset to the left side, consisting of a front protected heavy blade that coincides w/ a drum adjustable rear peep sight marked from 1-15. This particular example also includes an original 2.5x scope w/ machine gun reticle, which sets over to the right side of the center mounted magazine. It is also in beautiful condition w/ its dark black painted finish covering the vast majority of it classic brass body. Front mounted bipod has legs that provide 14" of height when employed, mounted directly below the bayonet lug. Complete w/ original bayonet, w/ blade measuring a whopping 15.5" and proper steel scabbard. MAGS: 1 very nice steel 30 rd. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Bayonet w/ scabbard, 2.5x original scope. CONDITION: An extremely clean, complete, original C&R Type 99 specimen. From the tip of the bayonet, past the bipod, the correct scope, to the buttstock, it is a complete package. The finish coverage is complete w/ exceptional coverage for a gun of this era. Some light intermittent pitting mostly around grip frame. Right side of receiver, at rear has a small area w/ no finish a what appears to have been a cold blue touchup. The scope is solid w/ clear glass and a sharp reticle, w/ some small black particulates visible & a slight fisheye appearance. Wood furniture has typical impressions. Bright bore w/ strong rifling. Fire control mechanism appears to function correctly when cycled by hand. NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT MG REQUIRING BATF TRANSFER BEFORE TAKING POSSESSION. FULLY TRANSFERABLE.(03-1735/JZ). CURIO CLASS III. $8,000-12,000.