I just picked up my first Arisaka. It's a Type 99, and it's missing the mum, the dust cover, the monopod, and the aircraft sights, but it's in pretty good shape otherwise. The bore looks excellent and the wood only has some minor blemishes look like they've been there for a very long time.

There is a sling on the rifle. It's the rubberized canvas sling, and it's not so great. The rubber is pretty much solid, and the sling has almost no flex. There are four points at which the rubber has broken off revealing the canvas, and those are the only places where the sling flexes at all. Trying to get the rifle into a case was a major pain, and I don't think I want to shoot it with that sling on it.

There's no way to remove that sling as is without completely destroying it. Is there anything I can do to restore some flexibility to the rubber and maybe remove the sling in a graceful manner, or is it toast?

Not to much luck restoring those but here is a link that may get you in the right direction.

I'm having a hard time not agreeing with this:



I could probably get the sling off the rifle without breaking the canvas, but a lot what's left of the rubber would probably be trashed. Should I just take my time and go for it?

There's no way to restore those slings. On the other hand, legit Arisaka slings are incredibly difficult to find - destroying it would be a shame.

You might be able to heat it gently with a hair dryer and get it flexible enough to remove it. Then set it aside.

I finally got a chance to snap and upload some photos.

Just leave it as is.  I don't think it looks that bad, and at least it's original.  Just my $.02.

I agree with this

Why not?  Because if you do plan on shooting it much....your right its really going to be wrecked then!  looks like its got a stud in the front and once that is pulled a part should be able to gingerly fish it through the stock sling,from what I can see....

That worked. At least for the front.

The rear sling swivel will stay with the sling.

Would an armor all type product help?

negative

Did you find this in Sedalia?

No.