Fritz Posted February 6, 2016 Share #1 Posted February 6, 2016 Just picked this up, was sent home by John Hobensack of the 1st Medical Squadron, talk about a time warp piece. From what I've found looks like this unit was with the 1st Cav and I think it may have come from Leyte, need to find out for sure where this unit was stationed but initial research is telling me they were only on that island, thoughts? Fritz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USCapturephotos Posted February 6, 2016 Share #2 Posted February 6, 2016 Wow. The ship home box does it for me. What a great find! Thanks for sharing. I am green with envy. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
268th C.A. Posted February 6, 2016 Share #3 Posted February 6, 2016 If this is the same rifle that I saw at the Dallas Arms Collector show ? There was a beautiful rear ammo poch with the oiler, full of ammo. It was a beauty....either way. Congratulations Its very nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1SG_1st_Cav Posted February 6, 2016 Share #4 Posted February 6, 2016 The 1st Cavalry Division was on The Admiralty Islands including: Los Negros Island, Manus, Butjo Luo, Hauwei Island, Ptyilu Island before reaching the Main Island of the Philippines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fritz Posted February 6, 2016 Author Share #5 Posted February 6, 2016 268th CA, no this came from the family up here in Ohio. Thanks, is a mind blower for sure , super nice still in the box Fritz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
268th C.A. Posted February 6, 2016 Share #6 Posted February 6, 2016 Still a Dang nice trophy, with provience! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodes Posted February 6, 2016 Share #7 Posted February 6, 2016 Looks like it was one built towards the end of the war as it has a wooden buttplate.....The bayonet and bolt wrapped up reminds me of the Arisaka that was wrapped together with a Japanese sword and sent home by a GI....The guy was killed after he sent the pieces home and the family never unwrapped them....They than came up for public auction.....Bodes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fritz Posted February 6, 2016 Author Share #8 Posted February 6, 2016 Thanks Bodes, not sure of the vintage, most likely mid war has the AA sights but not the monopod, it has a standard metal buttplate , rifle was made at Nagoya. Fritz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Collector .45 Posted February 6, 2016 Share #9 Posted February 6, 2016 Wow, that is an excellent piece with awesome provenance! Nice find. - Henry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodes Posted February 6, 2016 Share #10 Posted February 6, 2016 Looks like it was one built towards the end of the war as it has a wooden buttplate.....The bayonet and bolt wrapped up reminds me of the Arisaka that was wrapped together with a Japanese sword and sent home by a GI....The guy was killed after he sent the pieces home and the family never unwrapped them....They than came up for public auction.....Bodes Yeah, I went back and forth and my eyes (which are in need of new glasses) thought they saw a wood buttplate...My faux pas....Yeah, it's likely in the time frame you suggest, as they did eventually stop using the aircraft sights...Bodes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retread12345 Posted February 7, 2016 Share #11 Posted February 7, 2016 I had one like that in my collection for years. The box was made the same way and still had the stamps and declaration certificate attached. Does it still have the "mum" on the receiver?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USdog Posted February 7, 2016 Share #12 Posted February 7, 2016 Dang that's cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundance Posted February 7, 2016 Share #13 Posted February 7, 2016 Beautiful rifle and shipping box. I love those Type 99s. I'll assume that's a type 30 bayonet all wrapped and I'll also assume you won't unwrap it. My dad was with the 32nd Infantry Division in the Philippines and I believe they fought alongside the 1st Cav. Division in northern Luzon towards the end of the war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fritz Posted February 7, 2016 Author Share #14 Posted February 7, 2016 I had one like that in my collection for years. The box was made the same way and still had the stamps and declaration certificate attached. Does it still have the "mum" on the receiver?? Nice, I've had one other 99 like this that I sold about 4-5 years ago, wish I still had it but luckily I found this one to refill the void. As for the mum, it's been lightly hit with a grinder but still pretty visible. Fritz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garandomatic Posted February 7, 2016 Share #15 Posted February 7, 2016 I always thought a rifle sent home during the war would usually have an intact mum. Would that mean it was sent back at the very end of the war, then? I've read that units would have piles and guys got to pick a rifle or sword to send home from it after they were turned in it collected and "demilitarized" by removing the mum. I have one of these that I think was made in the last 5 minutes of the war from its appearance and it has lost most of its mum. It was sent home by a local sailor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Keith Posted February 7, 2016 Share #16 Posted February 7, 2016 I'm sure Miss Hobensack was just pleased as punch to open a box with a rifle and bayonet! Maybe that is why it still survives like this today. Great piece! BKW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blu1989 Posted February 8, 2016 Share #17 Posted February 8, 2016 Love your rifle Fritz! I found it funny that the lid of the box said "Value under $50". You can't even get the bayonet for that anymore let alone the rest of the contents. I have a rifle just like yours I bought from a local Navy vet who personally ground off the mum on it as that was his job at the end of the war. I wish he had a box with it like yours does but it has its own unique charm. Also love your avatar picture. I had a great uncle who served with the 83rd Division during WW2 but he died not long after D-Day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fritz Posted February 8, 2016 Author Share #18 Posted February 8, 2016 Thanks Blu1989! Rifles like this don't come around too often. I like my avatar, I served in the 83rd from 1984 till they disbanded and rolled into the 88th, I have a special thing for the 83rd, was a well known division that IMO shouldn't have been demobilized. Fritz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanWWII Posted March 10, 2016 Share #19 Posted March 10, 2016 I'm drooling. Very nice find! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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