Early Nagoya Concentric Circle
Nagoya produced roughly 1,500 Concentric Circle Type 99's, in the pattern of early style Type 99's similar to the 1st and 2nd series. These rifles have monopods, AA sights, chrome bores and bolt faces, and are of good quality. Many seem to be missing dust covers, so it is not entirely known if these CC rifles were made with them from the factory or if they were removed later.
These Nagoya CC rifles lack a "series" mark and seem to have their own serial number range. A large number of these Nagoya CC rifles also seem to have been made without a serial number stamped on the receiver or small parts. They are identified as Nagoya rifles by the proof marks on the receiver and stock, which follow standard Nagoya style.
Often the CC mark on the receiver of these rifles is over a previously ground mum, though very professionally done compared to the post war defacement.
Photos provided from the Gene Gibson collection.
These Nagoya CC rifles lack a "series" mark and seem to have their own serial number range. A large number of these Nagoya CC rifles also seem to have been made without a serial number stamped on the receiver or small parts. They are identified as Nagoya rifles by the proof marks on the receiver and stock, which follow standard Nagoya style.
Often the CC mark on the receiver of these rifles is over a previously ground mum, though very professionally done compared to the post war defacement.
Photos provided from the Gene Gibson collection.
Serial number locations:
Nagoya Concentric Circle W/O serial number
Nagoya also seems to have produced a number of CC marked rifles without an serial number stamped on the receiver or usual numbered parts. It has been noted that some of these rifles will have the Nagoya arsenal mark, while others do not even have this stamped and are only identified as Nagoya rifles from the proof marks on the major parts. As with many Nagoya CC rifles, the CC marks themselves are stamped over a previously ground mum, as shown on the following example. This is not a sign of fakery outright, but as with any rifle it is important to look at the overall features of the rifle itself to determine if it is a legit example.
This example has many features of 5th series and later rifles, including the lack of a chrome lined bore and chrome on the bolt face, no monopod, and a rear sight without any AA wings attached but the points to accept them.
This example has many features of 5th series and later rifles, including the lack of a chrome lined bore and chrome on the bolt face, no monopod, and a rear sight without any AA wings attached but the points to accept them.
Serial number locations:
The major parts of this rifle lack any serial number. There is still an assembly number on the barrel and receiver under the wood line, which is how many of the CC rifles without serial numbers are tracked by collectors.
(Please note the safety on this example is mismatched and features a serial number)
(Please note the safety on this example is mismatched and features a serial number)