Japanese Militaria at Castle-Thunder.com

[cfarmer]

(Type99 Short) I couldn't get a replica cleaning rod to fit completely into the rod channel. I found that there is a wood dowel that has been place into the channel. See photo. I have no idea why this dowel was placed in the rifle. I don't think the soldiers used wood dowels to clean their rifles. Comments or ideas? Thank you.

[gwsiii]

I have a few that have had carved wooden/bamboo rods inserted and painted/stained to match. One or two the rod had been pushed all the way in to the rod channel and or broken off. That one is a 32nd series 2096. It stands to reason in some cases it may actually have been a field replacement when/where the rod was lost, others, just to make it look more 'presentable' possibly a more 'modern' addition. Hard to say with absolute certainty.
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

[cfarmer]

I removed the barrel from the stock to see what I thought was a 4-inch dowel in the cleaning rod channel that was partially covering the bottom drain hole. It was removed in pieces since it looked to be lacquered into the channel. I found that it was part of a pencil with the graphite core still intact. It is not a #2 style pencil but thin like the cleaning rod. No printing on the pencil.
I'm happy the reproduction cleaning rod now fits into the rifle and catches the rod lock.

[gwsiii]

glad it worked out. Thanks for sharing!
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!