This is an exceptional early example of a very desirable and fully operational WWII Japanese Type 99 LMG. This model was developed in 1939 as a replacement for the Type 96 LMG and fired the new, heavier 7.7mm Japanese cartridge. These weapons proved to be very successful throughout the war by all the Japanese forces on the Japanese held islands as well as mainland China. They were very similar to the earlier Type 96 in configuration and function, as they are fitted with a forward mounted folding bipod, a quick change barrel with cooling fins, a top mounted carrying handle and a fully adjustable mono-pod attached to the underside of the buttstock. These were a very well made machine gun that featured all machined parts with a hardwood buttstock and pistol grip. The right side of the receiver has the four intertwined cannon balls of the Kokura Arsenal next to the Arsenal inspector's mark with several Kana markings/the series mark/serial number (1024) over the show a date of 17.9 (Sept 1942). As noted, this weapon is fully operational and it has the rare all matching visible numbers on the various parts.