CHAPTER 9 - JAPANESE PISTOLS, REVOLVERS & RIFLES

1. In general, the development of Japanese weapons may be divided into periods, each of which follows a war.
   
   
2. The progenitors of current Japanese weapons, as well as some of the weapons still in use, were designed between 1905 and 1912. a few models were modified in 1914 - 1915. Developments of the First World War were noticeable in a group of weapons developed in 1921 and 1922. Then in 1925 began a great program of redesign which finally included all Japanese weapons of every description.
   
   
3. All categories of artillery were redesigned between 1925 and 1936. Infantry mortars were redesign between 1929 and 1939, and automatic weapons, with many new weapons added, between 1932 and 1939.
   
   
4. Although no weapon designed in 1940 is known, a modern, efficient 47-mm gun was produced in 1941, and it is possible that the design of this weapon was influenced by the Nomonhan Incident when Japanese and Russian border forces fought for 24 days in 1939. It is believed that other new designs, specially anti-aircraft artillery, have made their appearance.
   
   
5. as a ressult of early Japanese successes during WWII, various United States, Dutch and British weapons are found in use by the Japanese. In one or two cases the Japanese have copied captured weapons exactly. In others, tehy have manufactured ammunition to use in the captured artillery.

(2) Characteristics. Caliber --------- 8-mm (.315 inch) Capacity of magazine --------- 8 rounds. Weight (empty) --------- 31 ounces. Muzzle velocity --------- 950 feet per second. (3) Ammunition. Rimless ball cartridges are provided and are interchangeable in the Model 14 and the Model 94 pictols described in the following pages.

(2) Characteristics Caliber --------- 8-mm (.315 inch). Magazine capacity --------- 8 rounds. Weight (empty) --------- 2 pounds. Muzzle velocity --------- 950 fet per second. (3) Ammunition Rimless ball cartridges are provided and are interchangeable in the Nambu and the Model 94 pistols. Figure 168-a. Type 14 Nambu with 1937 award document for China campaign.

Caliber --------- 9-mm (.315 inch). Magazine --------- 6 rounds. Weight (empty) --------- 1 pound 11 ounces. Muzzle velocity --------- 900 feet per seconf. (3) ammunition. Rimless ball cartridges are provided and are interchangeable in the Nambu and the Model 14 pistols. Figure 169-a. Type 94 pistol (May 1943) with holster.

Caliber --------- 9-mm (.354 inch). Weight (empty) --------- 2 1/4 pounds. Oever-all length --------- 8.5 inches. (3) ammunition. This weapon fires 9-mm rimmed ball ammunition. Figure 170-a. Type 26 revolver with holster, ammo and cleaning rod.

It has a blade type front sight and a leaf rear sight graduated from 100 to 2,400 meters. The small caliber, long barrel, and medium muzzle velocity of this piece results in relatively no recoil and comparatively little muzzle flash. The markings on top of the receiver read "Model 38". (2) Characteristics. Caliber --------- 6.5-mm (0.256 inch). Muzzle velocity --------- 2,400 feet per second Magazine capacity --------- 5 rounds. (3) ammunition. The cartridges are semirimmed. Ball ammunition and tracer ammunition have been recovered.

This rifle has a blade front sight a a leaf rear sight graduated from 300 to 2,000 meters. There is no windage or drift adjustment. (2) Characteristics. Caliber --------- 6.5-mm (0.256 inch). Length overall (bayonet folded) --------- 38 1/4 inches. Weight --------- 8.75 pounds. Muzle velocity --------- 2,400 feet per second Magazine capacity --------- 5 rounds. (3) ammunition. The weapon uses the same ammunition as the Model 38 rifle, and the cartridges are semirimmed. Both ball and tracer ammunition have been recovered.

- Monopod under fore end. - Antiaircraft sights arms attached to rear sight leaf. - Magazine floor plate hinged to forward part of trigger guard. - Sling swivels attached to side instead of under part of rifle. The markings on the top of the receiver read "Model 90". Reports have been received that a short model (38 inches overall) is being issued to service troops. (2) Characteristics. Caliber --------- 7.7-mm (0.303 inch). Length overall (withuot bayonet) --------- 44 inches. Muzszle velocity --------- 2,300 feet per second. Weight --------- 8.8 pounds.

It is believed that these rifles are manufactured more carefully than the standard rifles. (2) Rifle Characteristics. Model 97 caliber --------- 6.5-mm (0.256 inch). Model 99 caliber --------- 7.7-mm (0.303 inch). Length overall (both models) --------- 50 1/4 inches. Sights - Front --------- Blade type. Sights - Rear --------- Sliding leaf, graduated from 300 to 1,500 meters. (2) Telescope Sight Characteristics. Type --------- Fixed focus. Magnification --------- 2.5 x. Field of vision --------- 10 degrees. Weight --------- 17 ounces,

(1) Spigot type launcher. This attachment (fig 175) is placed over the rifle muzzle and locked into place, behind the front sight. Two types of grenades are known to be fired from this launcher. Both types are projected by a special cartridge (fitted with a wooden bullet) which normally packed in the grenade fin assembly.



(a) Fragmentation grenade Model 91 (1931). This grenade has been adopted for use as a rifle grenade by replacing the propellant charge normally found screwed into the base of this grenade, with a fin assembly. Prior to firing, the safety pin must be removed from the fuze. When projected, the fuze action will be started by the shock of the explosion upon the base of the grenade. Grenade will detonate in 7-8 seconds (approx.) after firing.

(b) Rifle smoke grenade. The rifle smoke grenade weighs 1.3 pounds and is painted silver. It contains approximately 0.6 pounds of an HC White smoke mixture. No fuze is used, the action being started by the flash of the propelling charge.

Figure 176. Rifled-type grenade launcher with armor piercing (hollow charge) rifle grenade.

(2) Rifled type launcher. This launcher (fig. 176) is designed for projecting the hollow charge high explosive AP grenade. When fired, the action of the discharger cup rifling on the lugs (prerifiled rotating band) of the grenade forces the projectile to rotate, giving stability in flight. It is reported that this grenade is projected by a special cartridge fitted with a wooden bullet.

(3) Cup type launcher Model 100. This launcher is used for projecting the Model 99 (1939) fragmentation grenade. The launcher is attached to the muzzle of the rifle, and the grenade, with safety pin removed, placed inside the cup. Standard ball ammunition is used for projecting the grenade, which has a range of approximately 100 yards when using any standard Japanese rifle. The grenade time fuze is started when the weapon is fired, detonating in approximately 4-5 seconds.

Figure 177. Cup type launcher Model 100 fitted on muzzle of rifle.

2. WWII JAPANESE MACHINE GUNS.

a. (1) The basic machine gun is the "Nambu", Model 11 (1922) 6.5-mm light machine gun, which is a modification of the French Hotchkiss. Other types that have been directly copied are the Lewis, the Vickers, and in one instance the Oerlikon. These weapons will be foundlisted in the following sections. A matter of note is that Japanese machine guns generally do not employ slow initial extraction and therefore stoppages are frequent. The Japanese, in order to overcome this, have employed various methods of oiling ammunition either by automatic or gravity oilers, built directly onto the weapon, or oiling ammunition before loading into box magazines. To complicate the ammunition picture even further, they have indicated that their 6.5-mm machine guns normally use a reduced charge, possibly to overcome stoppage and to avoid pre-oiling. Also their 7.7-mm light and heavy machine guns are built to use either a rimmed, semirimmed or rimless ammunition, which, with one exemption noted in the following pages, is not interchangeable.

(2) Submachine guns. No submachine gun of Japanese manufacture, comparable to the Thompson, M3 or Reising has been found, although several German Solothurn 7.63-mm (.30 cal) and 9-mm (.35 cal) SMGs and Schmeisser MP 28, SMGs have been recovered.



b. Model 11 (1922) 6.5-mm light machine gun.
(1) General description. This is a gas operated, air cooled, machine gun with hopper feed which holds 6 - 5 round clips of ammunition (figure 178). Positive identification can be made from the following markings which appear on the top of the receiver and read "11th year model". It is equipped with a blade front-sight and a V notched rear leaf-sight sliding on a ramp. There is no windage or drift adjustment. The safety lever (See figure 178) is turned down to a vertical position to make the weapon safe.

(2) Characteristics. Caliber --------- 6.5-mm (0.256 inch). Hopper capacity --------- 6 - 5 round clips. Weight --------- 22 1/2 pounds. Muzzle velocity --------- 2,440 feet per second. Sight graduation --------- 300 to 1,500 meters. Cyclic rate of fire --------- 500 rounds per minute (3) Ammunition. Clips of 5 rounds standard or reduced charge 6.5-mm ball rifle ammunition are used.

c. Model 96 (1936). 6.5-mm light machine gun.
(1) General description. This is a gas operated, magazine fed, air cooled, fully automatic light machine gun (figure 179). Its appearance is somewhat similar to that of the British Bren. The markings read "Model 96" and are stamped on the top of the receiver. This weapon has a blade front sight and a leaf rear sight controlled by a "click" drum. The graduations are from 200 to 1,500 meters and there is a windage adjustment.

There is also a telescopic sight with a 10 degree field of view and a 2 1/2 x magnification. A safety lever is located on the left side of the trigger housing and is set at horizontal to "fire", and vertical for "safe". (2) Characteristics. Caliber --------- 6.5-mm (0.256 inch). Weight (without bayonet or magazine). --------- 20 pounds. Magazine capacity --------- 30 rounds. Muzzle velocity --------- 2410 feet per second. Rate of fire --------- 550 round per minute. (3) Ammunition. 6.5-mm semirimmed cartridges in boxes marked are provided for this weapon. These have the same dimensions as the standard 6.5-mm cartridge although the Japanese have indicated that these have a reduced propelling charge. The regular rifle ammunition may cause stoppages, but can safely be used.

Figure 179. Model 96 (1936) 6.5-mm light machine gun (showing magazine, magazine filler and telescopic sight).

d. Model 99 (1939) 7.7-mm light machine gun.
(1) General description. This is a gas operated, magazine fed, air cooled, light machine gun (figure 180). Its appearance is almost identical to the Model 96 with two exceptions, that it has an adjustable rear monopod and a barrel locking nut instead of a barrel catch. It can further be identified by the markings on teh top of the receiver meaning "99 Model". It has a blade front sight and a rear peep sight controlled by a "click" drum graduated from 200 to 1,500 meters. There is a windage adjustment. A telescopic sight 10 degrees field of view and 2 1/2 x magnification is also provided. The safety lever on the right side of the trigger housing is set at horizontal to "fire", and vertical for "safe".

(2) Characteristics. Caliber --------- 7.7-mm (0.303 inch). Length overall --------- 42 inches. Weight (without magazine or bayonet). --------- 20 pounds. Magazine capacity --------- 30 rounds. Muzzle velocity --------- 2,300 feet per second. Rate of fire (cyclic) --------- 800 rounds per minute. (3) Ammunition. The weapon uses 7.7-mm rimless ammunition only. This ammunition can be used in Model 92 heavy machine gun, but the semirimmed ammunition for Model 92 cannot be used in this gun.

e. Model 92 (1932) 7.7-mm Lewis type MG.
(1) General description. This weapon is an air cooled, gas operated, drum-fed, full automatic gun. (See figure 181). With the exception that the cocking handle is on the left and that there is no provision allowing it to be changed to the right side of the gun, if so desired, this weapon is a duplicate of the British Lewis. It can be easily recognized by its similarity to the latter weapon.

The markings meaning "92 Model" are stamped on the receiver. Without removing the gun from its mount, the main portion of the tripod head can be moved from a horizontal to a vertical position, marking a satisfactory AA mount. This can be done in approximately 15 seconds. (2) Characteristics. Caliber --------- 7.7-mm (0.303 inch). Length overall --------- 56 inches. Weight (without tripod) --------- 26 pounds. Traverse --------- 360 degrees. Elevation (With mount in AA position). --------- 85 degrees. Magazine capacity --------- 47 rounds. Magazines having 97 round capacity also have been found. Muzzle velocity --------- 2,400 feet per second (approximately) Rate of fire (Cyclic) --------- 600 roubds per minute. Sight - front --------- Blade type. Sight - rear --------- Folding leaf peep sight graduated from 0 to 1,700 meters. (3) Ammunition, 7.7.rimmed ammunition, Japanese copy of the British .303 in. ball ammunition.

f. Model 92 (1932) 7.7-mm heavy machine gun.
(1) General description. This is the standard Japanese heavy machine gun. It is a gas operated, strip-fed, full automatic, air-cooled, modified Hotchkiss type weapon (figure 182).

Its forerunner, which may still be in use as of 1944, was the Model 3 (1914) which fired 6.5-mm ammunition. Markings which appear on the receiver read "92 Model". The standard sights consist of a blade front sight and a rear peep sight mounted on a post adjustable for windage and range (300 to 2,700 meters). Special antiaircraft front and rear sights are provided, and there are 3 variations of optical rear sights which are often used. The weapon is set on safety by turning the trigger thumb piece.

(2) Characteristics. Caliber --------- 7.7-mm (0.303 inch). Weight (Including tripod) --------- 122 pounds. Strip capacity --------- 30 rounds. Rate of fire (cyclic) --------- 450 rounds per minute. Muzzle velocity --------- 2,400 feet per second. (3) Ammunition. This gun uses 7.7-mm semirimmed ammunition (Ball tracer, AP and incendiary). It can also use the 7.7 rimless ammunition if loaded on strips.

Figure 182. Model 92 (1932) 7.7-mm heavy machine gun - showing carrying handles and ammunition strip.

g. Model 93 (1933) 13-mm machine gun.
(1) General description. This is a gas operated, air cooled, magazine fed, full automatic, Hotchkiss type weapon (figure 183). While it is primarily an antiaircraft gun, it can be used for ground purposes. This weapon has been found in single and twin mounts (See Sec. III, par. 3). The markings meaning "93 Model" appear on the receiver. The antiaircaft sights on dual mounts are of the calculating type graduated for ranges from 200 to 3,000 meters, with provision for corrections based on plane speeds varying up to 500 kilometers per hour. For ground use there is a blade front sight and a leaf rear sight graduated from 200 to 3,600 meters.

Caliber --------- 13.2-mm (0.52 inch). Length overall (including Flash hider). --------- 89 inches. Weight (without mount or magazine). --------- 87 pounds. Magazine capacity --------- 30 rounds Muzzle velocity --------- 2,250 feet per second. Elevation --------- 0 degrees to +85 degrees. Traverse --------- 360 degrees. Sights - A/A dual mount --------- Calculating type graduated from 200 to 3,000 meters range and an estimated speed of from 0 to 500 kilometers per hour. Sights - A/T (Front) --------- Blade Sights - Rear --------- Folding leaf graduated from 300 to 3,600 meters. (3) Ammunition. Ball, armor piercing, and tracer cartridges are provided.