chils123 Posted December 30, 2017 Share #1 Posted December 30, 2017 I picked up this arsenal reworked Type 44 off of Craiglist of all places, listed in an estate sale. I contacted the owner and found out it was the vet's son in law, and he had just passed away back in September 2017. I spoke with him on the phone and was able to get some of the history of his service, which I've never been able to do. I asked if he would write up a notarized letter and he said that was no problem. Here is a small snippet of it: "Roy Newton LaPrade was born at home on July 28, 1925 in Wirtz, Virginia. Roy was one of 7 children welcomed into the world by his proud parents, Nannie and Ira LaPrade. He was raised on a dairy farm and attended Boones Mill School, a single building schoolhouse incorporating 1 st thru 12 th grade. He graduated Boones Mill School June 1943 and received his draft notice on August 17, 1943. After passing the physical Roy was quickly drafted into the Army that month and entered into military service on September 31, 1943. Roy performed his basic training at Fort Bragg, NC and was issued his orders April 1944 to serve in the 146th Field Artillery Regiment, Battery C, Philippine theatre of operation. From Fort Bragg he was transported by rail to San Francisco, CA where he boarded a ship on April 27, 1944 bound for New Guinea. Upon arrival in New Guinea Roy fought on the front lines for 4 months, performing the duties of a private first class infantryman until he suffered 2nd degree burns from steam and was reassigned to a different squad as a survey and instrument specialist for his remaining 16 months in the Philippines. All toll, he served in New Guinea and the Philippine Islands from May 1944 until September 2, 1945, at which time his division was reassigned to Japan for the period of Occupation after the surrender to the Allied Forces. Arriving in Japan late September 1945, Roy was soon assigned to a post in Kure, Japan as a mail clerk and finally as chief mail clerk with a final rank of TEC5. Besides the daily responsibilities of handling the mail for his regiment, he handled all non-heavy equipment related shipping and receiving duties which included the shipping of Japanese rifles that American soldiers were allowed to take as a souvenir from the local Japanese arsenals. This is how he became the proud owner of this fine WWII specimen. In early January 1946, Roy received his discharge papers, returning back to the states where on February 2, 1946 he executed those separation orders from Fort Bragg, North Carolina." The rifle itself is an arsenal reworked example, with the last 3 digits of the serial number stamped on the floor plate, bayonet housing, bolt, and safety. All other parts are scrubbed or not numbered. From what I understand this is typical for reworks. Still has a beautifully intact mum. Stock is a newly made Kokura example, with very nice stock cartouches. The relatives also included many photo copies of documents and period photos of the GI. He was posted in Kure, so there are many photos of him visiting the remains of Hiroshima. There'a also an interesting photo of Roy helping another soldier with a package that looks to be a rifle about to be shipped home! Who knows for sure, but that's what it looks like! Roy is the GI circled in the photo. Overall I'm very pleased with the documented rifle. I'm glad I can keep the history of who brought it back alive. Not often you get to buy right from the vet's family these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmhm Posted December 30, 2017 Share #2 Posted December 30, 2017 That's a gorgeous looking '44! Mark sends Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
268th C.A. Posted December 30, 2017 Share #3 Posted December 30, 2017 No kidding! no ground Mum! That's nice.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easterneagle87 Posted December 30, 2017 Share #4 Posted December 30, 2017 beautiful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerdragon54 Posted December 30, 2017 Share #5 Posted December 30, 2017 Sexy Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chils123 Posted December 30, 2017 Author Share #6 Posted December 30, 2017 Thank you all. This is easily the nicest Type 44 in my collection. I have one other in similar condition, but no real vet history that I have been able to uncover concretely. I was very happy the son in law was willing to document the rifle so well. Once I told him I wasn't a dealer and planned to keep the rifle, his wife made photo copies of many period photos of the vet, and included much of his paperwork and other small souvenirs I forgot to photograph. These included little knick knacks like chops sticks in their wooden containers, a Japanese style fan, and other small wooden objects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USCapturephotos Posted December 30, 2017 Share #7 Posted December 30, 2017 Oh man. I especially love the photo of he and his buddy with the souvenir box! Thanks for sharing. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted December 30, 2017 Share #8 Posted December 30, 2017 A really nice bring-back! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chils123 Posted December 30, 2017 Author Share #9 Posted December 30, 2017 Oh man. I especially love the photo of he and his buddy with the souvenir box! Thanks for sharing. Paul Me too! I was especially excited when I was looking through the photos and saw that one! Since the vet worked as a mail clerk he certainly would have been in the position to see many of these boxes shipped out across the Pacific back to the US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundance Posted December 30, 2017 Share #10 Posted December 30, 2017 All I seem to be doing tonight is drooling over Pacific theater bring backs. Beautiful rifle. The only one I've seen in person was purchased by someone just before I visited my favorite gun shop. AAAGH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted December 30, 2017 Share #11 Posted December 30, 2017 She's a beauty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted December 30, 2017 Share #12 Posted December 30, 2017 Wow, great looking rifle!! Glad you got the story and names. I have been to Wirtz and love the area, I grew up not far from Wirtz. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M24 Chaffee Posted December 30, 2017 Share #13 Posted December 30, 2017 Great piece of history! Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1st Sgt CES Posted December 30, 2017 Share #14 Posted December 30, 2017 Great Gun !!!!!! I like this a lot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dskjl Posted December 31, 2017 Share #15 Posted December 31, 2017 never seen a nicer example, WOW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pathfinder11 Posted December 31, 2017 Share #16 Posted December 31, 2017 Um, ditto to everyone else. WOW on the condition! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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