[Bill B]

 

[Bill B]

I forgot to mention, series 35

 

[arisakadogs]

Nice! 👍. I like that S&W as well. What model is it? I’ve always been a big fan of Smith & Wesson

 

[Bill B]

Nice! 👍. I like that S&W as well. What model is it? I’ve always been a big fan of Smith & Wesson

Big fan of the Smiths myself, another area my money goes to. It's a Model 36-6 target model, 3" full underlug barrel and blue bead blast finish. 1 of 615 made.
The toyo had to be made just when the bomb went off.....

 

[arisakadogs]

my latest Smith is a Model 41 target pistol. The second one I’ve owned. A lot more expensive than it used to be

 

[Erniesq]

I stumbled on this Toyo Kogyo about 10 years ago - I still think it might be the highest known serial number, at least by way of photographic evidence. Don Voigt's book lists the reported serial number range for the 35th series as "35 to 58,405" but the data sheet/feature table that follows ends at 56608. Seems highly improbable that if 58,405 does exist, no one has reported detailed information for any rifle in the 57,xxx or 58,xxx range in any publication that I can find. I did ask Don for a photo of 58,405 and recall him telling me that the reporter did not provide one.

 

[148Infantry]

I love the rich deep red of late TKs. Beautiful rifles, and nice Smith hand guns fellas!

 

[Mike2994]

Here's my late TK, 56,000 serial range in a bring-home crate:

GI Bringback Type 99 Arisaka "Last Ditch" in...

I picked this rifle up at a gunshow this past weekend, as it was too cool to pass up. It defintley helped that it was all matching, had a mum, and was in near mint condition. Figured you guys would like some pictures:

www.gunboards.com

 

[JWMWITZ]

I have No. 55212. This was definitely the last group of rifles made by TK in the summer of 1945.

John in Northern Michigan

 

[lthilsdorf]

I’m honestly jealous of the rifles in this thread. I’ve wanted a high serial 35th series TK, but never can seem to score one. I do have this odd ball though….

 

[Bill B]

I stumbled on this Toyo Kogyo about 10 years ago - I still think it might be the highest known serial number, at least by way of photographic evidence. Don Voigt's book lists the reported serial number range for the 35th series as "35 to 58,405" but the data sheet/feature table that follows ends at 56608. Seems highly improbable that if 58,405 does exist, no one has reported detailed information for any rifle in the 57,xxx or 58,xxx range in any publication that I can find. I did ask Don for a photo of 58,405 and recall him telling me that the reporter did not provide one.
View attachment 3924032 View attachment 3924034 View attachment 3924035 View attachment 3924036 View attachment 3924037 View attachment 3924038

I bet you do have the highest number. Both our rifles have the mum also, I wonder how they escaped the mum grinder. It's great knowing we have the last ones made. TK quality also seems to be higher than the other arsenals last ditches.

 

[Pointyears]

I guess mine in the 24k range is considered middle aged lol.

 

[Kchapmansc]

I forgot to mention, series 35

Bill, very nice rifle. I picked one up last summer that isn’t too far from your serial.

 

[Kchapmansc]

I’m honestly jealous of the rifles in this thread. I’ve wanted a high serial 35th series TK, but never can seem to score one. I do have this odd ball though….

Oh, I like that one. Is that a rejected stamp on the forward part of the trigger guard?

 

[Bill B]

my latest Smith is a Model 41 target pistol. The second one I’ve owned. A lot more expensive than it used to be View attachment 3924012

I've had a 41 or 2 over the years. Old days high quality build. And yes Rob, the prices are crazy now. I always drift back to the revolvers.

 

[Inimicalone]

I guess mine would be a teenager.

 

[Bill B]

These are some beautiful rifles. I think this tiny sampling of late numbers lends credence to Erniesq thoughts that the 56000 range is the end of production.

 

[Inimicalone]

Just because s&w...

 

[Kchapmansc]

These are some beautiful rifles. I think this tiny sampling of late numbers lends credence to Erniesq thoughts that the 56000 range is the end of production.

All the late 35th rifles posted here seem to have excellent fit and finishes, but the only other 35th I have is pretty crude by comparison. Unlike Jinsens (and maybe Howas), which seem to be all uniformly crude, there seems to be some nicely finished late 35ths mixed in with the typical substitute finishes.

 

[Bill B]

Sweet, I see we're both addicted.

All the late 35th rifles posted here seem to have excellent fit and finishes, but the only other 35th I have is pretty crude by comparison. Unlike Jinsens (and maybe Howas), which seem to be all uniformly crude, there seems to be some nicely finished late 35ths mixed in with the typical substitute finishes.

I have a couple Kokura's that fit the crude category also.