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WW2 Jap Type 99, Bayonet, and Samurai Sword in Original Shipping Crate w/ Capture Tags from U.S.S. Pasadena ** Amazing Vet ID'ed Grouping! ** RED Guns International #: 101234399 Seller's Inventory #: M19- Category: Military Rifles - Japanese - Arisaka - Military Rifles - Japanese Seller's Information When emailing or calling sellers direct, please mention that you saw their listing on GunsInternational.com Seller: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc. Company: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc. Member Since: 4/27/15 State: Kentucky Zip: 40503 Country: United States Phone: (859) 276-1419 Fax: (859) 278-0838 Platinum Seller Number of Active Listings: 169 Total Number of Listings: 14935 Seller: FFL Dealer Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns. Payment Types Accepted: Visa,Master Card, Discover,Check Description: This is an amazing original veteran grouping consisting of an all-matching original Arisaka Type 99, a Tokyo Arsenal Type 30 Bayonet for the Type 99, and a unmarked Samurai Sword, all in the original crate it was shipped home in, along with the official paperwork/capture tags from the U.S.S. Pasadena dated February 1946.  Also included with these items is a copy of an original picture with the sailor that acquired these items, C.A. Fontaine, standing on the bow of the U.S.S. Pasadena with some of his mates.  While we don't know any specific information about Mr. Fontaine, we know from online research that the U.S.S. Pasadena was heavily involved in the fighting in the Pacific.  The Cleveland-class Light Cruiser was part of Task Force Cobra and participated in operations against Luzon and Formosa during the Phillipine campaign.  In mid-January of 1945 she sailed into the South China Sea and hit Japanese installations and shipping along the Indo-China coast and on Formosa.  In February, the U.S.S. Pasadena, now part of Task Force 58, moved against the Japanese home islands then swung southeast to cover the landings on Iwo Jima.  She added her guns to the bombardment of the island and had patrol duties there.  In mid-March the Pasadena sortied for the "Iceberg" strike force and participated in the bombardments of the southern Japanese home islands, Ryukyus, Minami Daito, and the main target Okinawa.  After a brief stop in Leyte, the Light Cruiser bombarded military and industrial complexes on the Tokyo Plain located in northern Honshu and Hokkaido in anticipation of an invasion of Japan by the U.S. forces that never had to happen.  After the war ended the U.S.S. Pasadena was on occupation duties in Japan, witnessing the official surrender of Japan in Tokyo Bay.  She remained in Tokyo Bay until mid-January and then headed back in the States.  At some point during these multiple combat engagements C.A. Fontaine acquired these weapons for himself as war trophies.  As you can see in the pictures, he made it official with his superiors onboard the ship and was issued "capture tags" to attach to the items.  These original tags are tacked to the side of the crate.  The tags are dated Feb.10, 1946 and have U.S.S. Pasadena stamped at the top.  Below the date the tags say "INSPECTED AND PASSED AS AN AUTHORIZED MILITARY SOUVENIR".  One tag lists "One (1) Japanese rifle, serial number 49339 with bayonet and sheath attached, serial no. 75343".  The other tag lists "One (1) Japanese Samurai Sword".  On both of the tags it has a line where it says "Property of" followed by C.A. Fontaine's signature.  Below his signature is the signature of B.H. Nowell, and the title "B.H. Nowell, Commander, U.S. Navy Intelligence Officer".  The tags had clear tape over them at one time and the tape remnants have turned an amber color.  These tags are really neat and it really makes this set special.  Now to the description of the items themselves, with the serial numbers of the rifle and bayonet matching the numbers listed on the tags.  The Type 99 is an all-matching 100% original rifle with a lightly defaced but intact Mum.  The Mum shows some dings in it like some Japanese soldier used his bayonet and a rock to deface it before certain death or capture.  This Type 99 is a late war variant where the Japanese were really cutting some corners for faster production and conserving materials.  The bolt handle and safety knob at the rear of the bolt have been simplified, the airplane sights and monopod have been eliminated, and the "cleaning rod" is just a few inches long, has no slot in it, and is for stacking duties only.  The original factory blue finish still looks great overall with an even patina and only light wear showing in spots.  The bore is in excellent condition and all of the controls on the rifle are in perfect working order.  The stock is in excellent shape with some minor dings and dents but no major damage or repairs.  The original handguard and stock including the 2-part butt are all nicely colored and matching.  The Type 30 bayonet for the Type 99 rifle is an early production all-original piece from Tokyo Arsenal with a hooked quillon and a blued blade.  It is serial numbered on the pommel "75343" (matching the tag) and is complete with the original scabbard.  This bayonet is in great shape overall with a beautiful blade that has never been re-sharpened and only shows some runner marks in the blue finish from the scabbard.  The wooden grip panels are nice and tight to the tang, and the lug that attaches it to the rifle still has plenty of spring pressure and is in perfect working order.  The Samurai Sword is a bit of a mystery but is in good/average shape overall.  It has thin steel fittings on the scabbard and handle, and a heavy plain brass tsuba and brass habaki.  The handle itself is made of grooved bamboo painted black and attached to the blade with a bamboo pin.  The blade shows some staining and light pitting from prior rust but is very sharp, and measures 25.25" inches long from the end of the brass habaki.  The overall length of the Samurai sword from the tip of the blade to the back of the handle is 36" inches long.  This really is an amazing grouping that would be a centerpiece addition to many military collections.  It is very rare to get multiple items with paperwork and a picture of the man who brought them back, much less still in the original crate they came home in!  It also offers the new owner ample opportunity to learn more about the man who brought this stuff back and more about the U.S.S. Pasadena, the Light Cruiser on which he served and transported these items on.                      SOLD Curio/Relic: Yes Manufacturer: Toriimatsu Factory of Nagoya Arsenal Model: Type 99 Rifle Serial Number: 49339 Caliber Info: 7.7 Jap Extras: Early Type 30 Bayonet & Samaurai Sword, Original crate it shipped home in, the original paperwork tacked to the crate, and a picture of the sailor who owned it.