Original Item: Only One Available. Japanese machine guns very rarely show up for sale, so we are especially proud to offer this fantastic BATF approved non-firing original example.

This is an excellent example of a very desirable WWII Japanese Type 99 LMG. This model was developed in 1939 as a replacement for the Type 96 LMG and fired the new, heavier 7.7mm Japanese cartridge. These weapons proved to be very successful throughout the war by all the Japanese forces and were used on all the Japanese held islands and mainland China. They are very similar in appearance to the British Bren gun in that they have a top mounted curved box magazine, a forward mounted folding bipod, and a new quick change, finned barrel that featured a top mounted carrying handle. These were a well made machine gun that featured all machined parts with a hard wood buttstock and pistol grip.

This excellent example is marked on the receiver with the arsenal markings for Kokura Arsenal next to 九 九 式. Kyuu (九) is Japanese for number 9, and shiki (式) is the word for type, so it reads 99 Type. Under this is is marked with serial number 8078 and date 昭 18.9. This would be read as Showa Era year 18, 9th month, or September 1943. This same serial number and date is marked on the underside of the deactivated barrel, which can still be removed from the machine gun. The barrel and several other components of the machine gun are also marked with serial number 8078, so this looks to be at least a "Partial Matching Number" example, which is highly desirable.

This GI WW2 bring back Type 99 has been correctly demilled to BATF specs, with the original receiver having been completely severed by torch cut. It was then re-welded on solid bar stock, with the required 20% of the receiver completely replaced by new material. Some of the internals are included, welded into the interior of the receiver to give it a better look. This BATF approved non-gun cannot be converted to fire.

Very fine with 95% of a blue/black finish overall. The butt stock and pistol grip are both original in very good condition with their nice original color with light pressure dents and gouges from actual field use. The front carry handle is present, and as usually seen, some of the high ribbed wood grip is cracked off. The front sight is also missing one of the "ears" and the blade as well. The front bipod is in very good shape and fully functional, and this gun still has the rare monopod attached to the butt stock, for easier static emplacement.

The only part that is not original to the gun (aside from the 2" section of the receiver) is the magazine but were able to adapt a German MG13 Magazine to fit for display purposes only.

The Type 99 was probably the most successful Japanese Army machine gun of the Second World War. It looks like and was used like the famous British Bren gun, including the top-mounted magazine, a folding bipod, and a quick-change barrel. Unlike the Bren gun, however, the Type 99 was equipped with a mount for the standard Japanese rifle bayonet.

This is a very rare and desirable machine gun as not many were brought back by returning GIs as it is a heavy bulky weapon. A very nice example of one the primary WWII Japanese light machine guns.