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Posted: 3/29/2011 6:15:58 AM EDT
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I keep reading about weapons as "last ditch", usually its associated with Japanese rifles, what does the term "last ditch" mean? And is it something that adds to the value of a weapon, or does it detract from the value?
Thank you, |
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if you were talking about k98's, you'd most likely be talking about those made towards the end of 44-early 45 where the germans were pushing them out as fast as they could so you'd see stocks that looked liked beavers carved them and metal finishing just short of hammer and chisel work.
value wise, in the k98's, it doesn't change the value as long as it's factory done and not bubba's artwork. |
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As far as Type 99s go, there are a variety of features that began to be eliminated to save time and expense making the rifles - the wire monopod, the dust cover, the aircraft wings on the rear sight, etc. Eventually things like the sling swivels would go (replaced by holes for a rope sling), the buttplate would be replaced by a wooden one, etc.
A true Type 99 "last ditch" is actually worth more than some of the earlier-made rifles. |
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Quoted:
As far as Type 99s go, there are a variety of features that began to be eliminated to save time and expense making the rifles - the wire monopod, the dust cover, the aircraft wings on the rear sight, etc. Eventually things like the sling swivels would go (replaced by holes for a rope sling), the buttplate would be replaced by a wooden one, etc. A true Type 99 "last ditch" is actually worth more than some of the earlier-made rifles. Maybe worth more to collectors but since I am a shooter/collector, I have stayed away from them. Just don't trust to shoot them. Were they made by Nazi slave labor who might have sabotaged them? Did they cut corners on the metal hardening process or safety features? |
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Quoted:
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As far as Type 99s go, there are a variety of features that began to be eliminated to save time and expense making the rifles - the wire monopod, the dust cover, the aircraft wings on the rear sight, etc. Eventually things like the sling swivels would go (replaced by holes for a rope sling), the buttplate would be replaced by a wooden one, etc. A true Type 99 "last ditch" is actually worth more than some of the earlier-made rifles. Maybe worth more to collectors but since I am a shooter/collector, I have stayed away from them. Just don't trust to shoot them. Were they made by Nazi slave labor who might have sabotaged them? Did they cut corners on the metal hardening process or safety features? The Type 99 action is actually one of the strongest bolt actions out there. Most of the last ditch rifles are perfectly safe. The "school rifles" are the ones that aren't safe with anything other than blanks, because they were made to only fire blanks. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
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As far as Type 99s go, there are a variety of features that began to be eliminated to save time and expense making the rifles - the wire monopod, the dust cover, the aircraft wings on the rear sight, etc. Eventually things like the sling swivels would go (replaced by holes for a rope sling), the buttplate would be replaced by a wooden one, etc. A true Type 99 "last ditch" is actually worth more than some of the earlier-made rifles. Maybe worth more to collectors but since I am a shooter/collector, I have stayed away from them. Just don't trust to shoot them. Were they made by Nazi slave labor who might have sabotaged them? Did they cut corners on the metal hardening process or safety features? The Type 99 action is actually one of the strongest bolt actions out there. Most of the last ditch rifles are perfectly safe. The "school rifles" are the ones that aren't safe with anything other than blanks, because they were made to only fire blanks. +1 Also, the term "last ditch", as well as the propaganda that usually surrounds it, is extremely misleading, in most cases. The Japanese cut cosmetic corners, just like everybody else did. The weapons still function as well as they ever did and will stand up well to any of their contemporaries. I have one of these rifles and shoot it without any worries. Truthfully, you're probably much more likely to see a "kaboom" from a 1903 Springfield. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
As far as Type 99s go, there are a variety of features that began to be eliminated to save time and expense making the rifles - the wire monopod, the dust cover, the aircraft wings on the rear sight, etc. Eventually things like the sling swivels would go (replaced by holes for a rope sling), the buttplate would be replaced by a wooden one, etc. A true Type 99 "last ditch" is actually worth more than some of the earlier-made rifles. Maybe worth more to collectors but since I am a shooter/collector, I have stayed away from them. Just don't trust to shoot them. Were they made by Nazi slave labor who might have sabotaged them? Did they cut corners on the metal hardening process or safety features? The Type 99 action is actually one of the strongest bolt actions out there. Most of the last ditch rifles are perfectly safe. The "school rifles" are the ones that aren't safe with anything other than blanks, because they were made to only fire blanks. +1 Also, the term "last ditch", as well as the propaganda that usually surrounds it, is extremely misleading, in most cases. The Japanese cut cosmetic corners, just like everybody else did. The weapons still function as well as they ever did and will stand up well to any of their contemporaries. I have one of these rifles and shoot it without any worries. Truthfully, you're probably much more likely to see a "kaboom" from a 1903 Springfield. or Mosin 
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