All Matching Type 44--Damn!

[Mustang]

Last year I glommed a Type 44 from a buddy who runs a pawnshop. I guess someone pawned it and didn't come back. It is in pretty good shape...bluing is pretty good, stock finish fair. I didn't realize until later that parts were matched on this model based on an assembly number, rather than the serial number.

Every number I can find (bolt, extractor, firing pin, safety, bayonet, bolt release, trigger, rear sight, stock, and handguard) matches the assembly number on the underside of the receiver. Unfortunately, I discovered it is also DUFFLE CUT under the rear band.

I was getting this ready to sell and obviously am going to disclose the cut, but have a few questions...

How difficult are the duffle cuts to repair? This one seems to be fairly clean and straight.

How much will this affect the value of the type 44?

Better to fix it and then sell it (repair disclosed, of course) or sell it as is?

Thanks.

[steve91104]

OP what is a duffle cut?

[Mustang]

A duffle cut is a cut to the stock, usually under the rear band to make the stock shorter, and hence fit into a GI duffle bag. I guess it was not uncommon for GI's to make the cut and sneak the rifle back into the States after WWII.

Frankly, I never guessed the stock was cut until I took it apart to see what the assembly number under the receiver was.

[OHOD]

Is the Mum ground off?

[Mustang]

Yes...4th picture down, although it is difficult to see.

[Milsurp Collector]

I was getting this ready to sell and obviously am going to disclose the cut, but have a few questions...

How difficult are the duffle cuts to repair? This one seems to be fairly clean and straight.

How much will this affect the value of the type 44?

Better to fix it and then sell it (repair disclosed, of course) or sell it as is?

Not easy to repair right http://www.k98kforum.com/showthread....repair-%28pics

Small decrease in value, hard to say how much.

Unless you are a pretty good handyman, probably best to leave it as is. Then it becomes the buyer's problem.

[TRAP55]

Leave it as is, it's part of it's history just like the ground mum.

[Armistice]

Is the Mum ground off?

What is a mum?

[TRAP55]

Mum = "Chrysanthemum", the emblem crest of the Emperor stamped on the receiver.

[Hoshnasi]

Mum = "Chrysanthemum", the emblem crest of the Emperor stamped on the receiver.

Just to add more to that fact.

As part of the Japanese surrender, the Japanese requested all confiscated weapons have the Mum removed as to not dishonor the emperor. The

Some G.I. trophies were smuggled out without removing the mum making them much more valuable.

[Mustang]

Not easy to repair right http://www.k98kforum.com/showthread....repair-%28pics

Small decrease in value, hard to say how much.

Unless you are a pretty good handyman, probably best to leave it as is. Then it becomes the buyer's problem.

Leave it as is, it's part of it's history just like the ground mum.

Thanks, guys. That seems to be the consensus from this board and others.

[Milsurp Collector]

What is a mum?

The upper Type 44 has a ground "mum" (chrysanthemum). The lower Type 44 has an intact mum.



The order to deface the mum came after the Japanese surrender so rifles with ground mums were probably taken as souvenirs after the end of the war. Arisakas with intact mums are mostly likely battlefield pickups captured before the end of the war.

Defacement of the mum can range from grinding off to various degrees, several strikes with a chisel, or a light "X".



While an intact mum is desirable, it isn't essential since most Arisakas you might find for sale will have defaced mums. If you pass up Arisakas with defaced mums not only will you pass on most Arisakas, you would pass on some desirable rifles. Matching numbers and original finish on the wood and metal are are at least as important as an intact mum.

For example, the upper Type 44 has a ground mum, but it has a dust cover and it is in better overall condition than the lower Type 44, which as an intact mum.




The lower Type 44 shows the characteristic wearing away of the left side of the stock under the receiver. Japanese cavalry soldiers who the Type 44 was designed for rode with their rifles carried across their backs with the left side of the rifle against the back, causing the left side of the stock to wear away.

[Armistice]

Thanks for the info

[GOEX FFF]

Agreed to leave it as is. I have a few pieces that are duffle-cut and no way do I "fix" them. To me, it has no impact on lowering the value of a piece but rather it's a part of the rifle's history by the Vet who brought it home.

[6mmintl]

Two short 2" x 1/8"diameter oak dowels and drill four matching holes, wax all metal with shoe polish and JB weld (black/white 2 part epoxy) and glue together carefully align/tape/stock to barrel, and remove excess epoxy using no lacquer or acetone, use alcohol.