Value of an unissued matching, mummed "Last Ditch" Arisaka

[firefly416]

Since there was talk of Mums, how many different ways were they altered? Mine has two sharp lines across it in a V like pattern, no grinding. Most of the others I have seen look like a file was taken to it.

There were many different methods used. Just depends on who did the defacing and how much time they had. I have a Type 38 Arisaka that was ground so well it almost looks like it didn't have one. Others had just a couple of strike marks over top of the mum.

[SVT-40]

Here are a few more pic's. Original finish as said above. Just a slight ring around the firing pin hole in the bolt face, so this one has been fired a bit.

[Discogodfather]

There were many different methods used. Just depends on who did the defacing and how much time they had. I have a Type 38 Arisaka that was ground so well it almost looks like it didn't have one. Others had just a couple of strike marks over top of the mum.

I could never confirm it and I don't think anyone knows for certain, but I always thought:

1) Strike marks = Japanese troops surrendering. Solider wants to surrender, doesn't want to disgrace the emperor and the symbol of the state, so he strikes it in the field

2) Ground = post war MacArthur plan, done with US Military supervision

When you look at the pictures of the process, it seems somewhat clear to me what happened, and I know a few old timers that were there or had their sons tell me the story. They had tens of thousands of these rifles, and after the Japanese removed the symbol they were stacked at the docks. US Military could take one with the right paperwork. The remainder were then put in boats and then thrown into the sea. It took years and years, probably until late 40's or even early 50's. A few fiascoes too where local police and such kept weapons hidden away anyway.

Article on MacArthur plan.

[DesertWalker]

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[NorcalGSG]

Since there was talk of Mums, how many different ways were they altered? Mine has two sharp lines across it in a V like pattern, no grinding. Most of the others I have seen look like a file was taken to it.

I have one like that. It's documented that the Japanese soldier who surrendered it on Iwo to the Marine who brought it home did the strike with a type 30 bayonette while he watched. I imagine whatever tools you have at the time is what you'd use. They are usually referred to as a struck mum, as opposed to a ground mum.

[Yusuke Komiya]

I noticed some cracks near the bottom of the rear sight base on some "Last Ditch" rifles. Is that a concern shooting wise?

[Nevada Hudson]

Didn't the ones the North Koreans used in the Korean war have intact mums?