Very Rare Late-WW2 Japanese Type 99 Rifle (Kogyo Only)

Serial #457, 7.7mm Arisaka, 26" barrel with an excellent, bright bore.  This is one of only about 1,600  or so mysterious, so-called "Kogyo Only" rifles that was never marked with either the Imperial Japanese Chrysanthemum, or the Kokura Arsenal supervisory mark.  The metal retains 90-92% of the original blue mixing with plum-brown, as well as some silvering along the high edges and bearing surfaces.  The bolt has the flattened spot on the knob that is characteristic of nearly all known "Kogyo Only" rifles (purpose unknown) with some gray metal on the bearing surfaces.  The bolt body, extractor, and safety have matching numbers, but the firing pin is numbered to a different gun ("528").  The stock and handguard are in very good condition with handling marks and bruises throughout the original varnish finish.  Additionally, the forend is cut under the barrel band, and there are several flaws in the wood: one period repair on the right side of the forend just above the stock bolt, as well as several large grain separations on either side of the buttstock.  A small "X" stamp is present on the front tang of the trigger guard iron forward of the floorplate indicating that rejected No cleaning rod is present, and despite the presence of a sling swivel on the band, there is no provision for mounting a sling on the buttstock.  Very little is known about these intriguing rifles, and their true purpose is unknown.  This example is in very good-fine condition and would make a splendid addition to any collection.  FFL or C&R