27th series TJK (Nagoya)
Please note, the 27th series starts production already in the classic "Last Ditch" pattern, with a fixed rear sight, welded in place front barrel band, and short pattern hand guard.
Very early 27th series w/ rare front band:
This variant is a very rare example, with only a few known rifles in this pattern reported.
-The main unique feature of this rifle is the modified front barrel band. Instead of the welded in place style, it uses a modified 2 screw early pattern band, with the part of the band that retains the long pattern hand guard milled off. Both known examples are under the 200 serial number, and examples in in the 300 range have been found with the features of the next rifle variant rather than this pattern. Likely it was realized this extra work of milling off the retainer of the band was not needed and TJK was using extra parts on hand.
-The rifle also seems to use a 37th series TJK stock, with a single screw rear sling swivel installed in a 2 screw cut out.
-There is no hole drilled for a cleaning rod, and no way to retain one
-The main unique feature of this rifle is the modified front barrel band. Instead of the welded in place style, it uses a modified 2 screw early pattern band, with the part of the band that retains the long pattern hand guard milled off. Both known examples are under the 200 serial number, and examples in in the 300 range have been found with the features of the next rifle variant rather than this pattern. Likely it was realized this extra work of milling off the retainer of the band was not needed and TJK was using extra parts on hand.
-The rifle also seems to use a 37th series TJK stock, with a single screw rear sling swivel installed in a 2 screw cut out.
-There is no hole drilled for a cleaning rod, and no way to retain one
Serial number locations:
27th series using early pattern stock:
This pattern of 27th series is the standard pattern used for the first few thousand rifles of the series.
-The stocks on these rifles appear to be unused older stock from the No series-4th of Nagoya production. The stock has the cut outs for a screw in front band, metal butt plate, 2 screw rear sling swivel, drain holes, and a square cleaning rod retainer. Most of these areas will have small wooden plugs in place to block the screw holes. The drain holes are usually found without plugs, and a single screw rear swivel will be installed in the 2 screw cut out.
-Front band is the welded in place style, unlike the very early variant
-Stock has a wooden butt plate
-The stocks on these rifles appear to be unused older stock from the No series-4th of Nagoya production. The stock has the cut outs for a screw in front band, metal butt plate, 2 screw rear sling swivel, drain holes, and a square cleaning rod retainer. Most of these areas will have small wooden plugs in place to block the screw holes. The drain holes are usually found without plugs, and a single screw rear swivel will be installed in the 2 screw cut out.
-Front band is the welded in place style, unlike the very early variant
-Stock has a wooden butt plate
Serial number locations:
Mid production 27th series TJK:
Here is an example of a mid production style 27th series rifle. After the previously discussed variant, TJK didn't change much with their production until the very end. This will have all the standard last ditch features.
-It should be noted that TJK continued to use a plumb style bolt handle through much of production. Not all producers switched to the Nagoya style cylindrical bolt handle.
-This example features very prominent chatter to the wrist of the stock, which is commonly found on later TJK rifles
-It should be noted that TJK continued to use a plumb style bolt handle through much of production. Not all producers switched to the Nagoya style cylindrical bolt handle.
-This example features very prominent chatter to the wrist of the stock, which is commonly found on later TJK rifles
Serial number locations:
Early rope hole variant 27th series (1):
Here is an example of a late production TJK 27th series using the "rope hole" pattern of stock. These late TJK rifles has just a hole drilled in the stock for use of a rope as a sling. It would be tied through the hole, and they the other end tied around the barrel. There are many variants of this style, so not all rope hole rifles will look the same as this example.
-This example still retains dust cover grooves. Later TJK's will lack this grooves in the receiver
-The rear barrel band also is still using a sling swivel. On many other examples this swivel and it's retainer are eliminated from the barrel band.
-At this point TJK has also started using the late war cylindrical style bolt handle, seen on many late war Nagoya rifles
-This example still retains dust cover grooves. Later TJK's will lack this grooves in the receiver
-The rear barrel band also is still using a sling swivel. On many other examples this swivel and it's retainer are eliminated from the barrel band.
-At this point TJK has also started using the late war cylindrical style bolt handle, seen on many late war Nagoya rifles
Serial number locations:
Early rope hole variant 27th series (2):
Here is another example of a TJK 27th series rope hole. It is nearly identical to the previous rifle, with one difference. This example has a rear barrel band that lacks both a sling swivel or the attachment point for one. With the use of a rope, this swivel was no longer needed, as the rope would simply be tied around the barrel.
Possible factory incomplete 27th series rope hole w/o serial number:
Many later made TJK rope hole rifles have been found lacking serial numbers on the receiver and bolt parts, as well as a receiver without dust cover grooves. Often they are missing a front sight blade, bolt release lever, or both. This example follows many of those patterns, but also appears to have never been completed at all. It was purchased as found in the summer of 2019.
-This rifle does not show evidence of ever having a bolt, front sight blade, bolt release, or follower/spring installed. There is a slight indent in the wood when the screw for the bolt release would poke into the stock, but it's possible this was there as a pilot hole to avoid cracking the wood once it was actually installed
-The mum is intact
-The receiver has no serial number and lacks dust cover grooves
-There is a "clover" TJK proof in the stock, but no final "Na" proof in the upper position
-This rifle does not show evidence of ever having a bolt, front sight blade, bolt release, or follower/spring installed. There is a slight indent in the wood when the screw for the bolt release would poke into the stock, but it's possible this was there as a pilot hole to avoid cracking the wood once it was actually installed
-The mum is intact
-The receiver has no serial number and lacks dust cover grooves
-There is a "clover" TJK proof in the stock, but no final "Na" proof in the upper position