J02850 DEACTIVATED MODEL 99 7.7MM LIGHT MACHINE GUN. Similar in appearance to the British Bren light machine gun, it was adopted in 1939 (Japanese year 2599, hence type "99") as an improved variant on the earlier 6.5mm type 96 LMG, but used the 7.7mm (.303") cartridge designed for the type 99 (1939) rifle. Many parts being interchangeable, the most noticeable differences between the two models was in the configuration of their barrel release mechanisms and type 99's rear monopod, which was used to adjust the elevation. The gas-operated, air-cooled, magazine-fed light machine gun was fully automatic, with no provision for semi-automatic fire. With an overall length of 42", the end of its ribbed barrel is threaded to take a flash eliminator or muzzle cover. A fitting to the gas piston beneath the barrel took the standard, model 30 service bayonet. Its forward bipod is also positioned here, adjustable to 200B or 180B angles, or, when folded up, to 90B or 70B angles. Above the bipod is an inverted "V" front sight, its guards off-set to the left (as with the rear sight; both as a result of the magazine being positioned at the top of the receiver). A carrying handle with a ribbed wooden grip is fixed above where the barrel meets the receiver. Behind this, and to the left of the receiver, is its nut and wedge type of barrel release and headspace adjustment knob, numbered from one to eight. The bolt operating handle is beneath this. To the right side of the receiver is stamped the Nagoya arsenal stamp, followed by two kanji characters, each signifying the number "9," and the character for "Model." Underneath this is stamped "4060" and, underneath that, the character for "Showa" (commonly used as an army inspection stamp between 1926 and 1942), followed by "1" and "7.4." With the magazine cover opened, a thirty round, curved-box magazine fits into the opened port to the top of the receiver, with its magazine release catch behind it. An ejector cover is beneath the magazine and to the right of the receiver. Although the magazine is no longer functional, its cover, release catch, and the ejector cover are intact. A base for a telescopic sight is to the rear top of the receiver, alongside of which is the rear sight. The drum-controlled rear peep sight has vertical dial numbers from two to fifteen (200 to 1500 meters), for range, and a horizontal dial graded from zero to twenty (when set to the center it allowed ten mil adjustments left and right), for windage. Both sights still function. A bolt-lock cover is to the base of the receiver, and is still operable. The kanji character signifying "fire" may be seen forward of the left side of the trigger guard and another character, which may be assumed to be for "safe," is stamped above the trigger assembly. The safety lever is to the right of this assembly. The grip and stock are wood, with the rear monopod fixed to the base of the stock, adjustable to either folded or vertical positions. A hook for a carrying strap is to the right side of the stock and the right center of the gas piston. "4060" may be seen stamped to the rear of the forward sight, the inside of the bolt-lock cover, bolt components as seen to the inside through this opened cover, the inside of the magazine cover, the inside of the magazine catch, the inside of the ejector cover, the reverse of the safety lever, and along the outside of the bolt. A series of "M"s is stamped above the end of the gas piston and behind the magazine catch. Where the weapon has been de-activated is most noticeable to the end of the gas piston, to the right side of where the barrel meets the receiver, the barrel release and headspace adjustment knob, the pin above the trigger assembly, and to the rear right backplate of the receiver. The bluing to all of the metal components is almost completely retained, with only minor surface scratches and spotting evident. The wooden carrying handle has noticeable chips off of its rear connection, but the handle and stock exhibit only typical age darkening and surface scratches. Rare.