11th Series Nagoya
Early 11th series variant:
The early 11th series Nagoya rifles follow the same basic pattern as the 10th series, including the following features:
-Fixed rear sight
-Front sight w/o protective guards
-3 piece stock w/ wooden butt plate
-Late war Nagoya cylindrical bolt & rough weld safety
This pattern continued into mid series, when you start to see some additional changed.
-Fixed rear sight
-Front sight w/o protective guards
-3 piece stock w/ wooden butt plate
-Late war Nagoya cylindrical bolt & rough weld safety
This pattern continued into mid series, when you start to see some additional changed.
Serial number locations:
Rope sling variant:
Prior to the use of the rope hole stock discussed below, Nagoya briefly used a different pattern of sling set up on their late 11th series rifles. The stock uses a single screw rear sling swivel but the rear barrel band is missing the swivel, much like the rope hole rifles. As there is no forward swivel it would seem these rifles were also intended to use a rope as a sling, tied through the rear sling swivel and then tied around the barrel.
Also note that this rifle lacks dust cover grooves, something that first appeared in the mid production of the series, with earlier receivers randomly appearing throughout the end of production.
Photos provided from the Gene Gibson collection.
Also note that this rifle lacks dust cover grooves, something that first appeared in the mid production of the series, with earlier receivers randomly appearing throughout the end of production.
Photos provided from the Gene Gibson collection.
Rear barrel band (correct w/o swivel)
Serial number locations:
Stock proof marks:
Earlier Rope Hole variant (1):
In the 80,000 range, Nagoya switched to a new sling style. Rather than using a rear sling swivel, a hole was drilled into the stock for the use of a rope. Early on, older barrel bands were still used that still had a sling swivel attached. Later models, discussed below, use several variations of bands without the swivel. This example still retains a receiver with dust cover grooves and has 3 nails in the butt plate.
Serial number locations:
(Please note the safety would also match on this rifle, but was missing when purchased)
Earlier Rope Hole variant (2):
This rifle is an example of an early style 11th series rope hole rifle. The following features should be noted:
-Rather than using a rear sling swivel, a hole is now just drilled in the butt stock for a rope. The rope would then be tied around the barrel for use as a sling
-The rear barrel band does not have any provision for a sling swivel
-The wooden butt plate is now held in with 2 nails instead of 3
-Rather than using a rear sling swivel, a hole is now just drilled in the butt stock for a rope. The rope would then be tied around the barrel for use as a sling
-The rear barrel band does not have any provision for a sling swivel
-The wooden butt plate is now held in with 2 nails instead of 3
Serial number locations:
Later Rope Hole variant (1):
This rifle is an example of an slightly later style 11th series rope hole rifle. The following features should be noted:
-Dust cover grooves are no longer milled into the receiver
-Rather than using a rear sling swivel, a hole is now just drilled in the butt stock for a rope. The rope would then be tied around the barrel for use as a sling
-The rear barrel band does not have a sling swivel installed, but does have a band that would accept one. However, this one never had a swivel installed and is correct with it missing
-The wooden butt plate is now held in with 2 nails instead of 3
-Dust cover grooves are no longer milled into the receiver
-Rather than using a rear sling swivel, a hole is now just drilled in the butt stock for a rope. The rope would then be tied around the barrel for use as a sling
-The rear barrel band does not have a sling swivel installed, but does have a band that would accept one. However, this one never had a swivel installed and is correct with it missing
-The wooden butt plate is now held in with 2 nails instead of 3
Serial number locations:
Later Rope Hole variant (2):
This example is basically the same as the previously discussed example of a rope hole rifle, but made very close to the end of the series. As you can see, features stayed almost the same from the earlier rifle, though in between these serial numbers Nagoya briefly switched back to stocks with a rear sling swivel installed.
Photos provided from the Gene Gibson collection
Photos provided from the Gene Gibson collection