Type I rifle
| Type I rifle | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Bolt-action rifle |
| Place of origin | Japan |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1938–1945 |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Fabbrica d'Armi Terni |
| Designed | 1938[1] |
| Manufacturer | Beretta Fabbrica Nazionale d'Armi Sezione Fabbrica d'Armi Regio Esercito |
| Produced | 1938–1939 |
| No. built | 120,000[2] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.95 kg (8 lb 11 oz) |
| Length | 1,285 mm (50.6 in) |
| Barrel length | 797 mm (31.4 in) |
| Cartridge | 6.5×50mmSR Arisaka |
| Action | Bolt action |
| Muzzle velocity | 765 m/s (2,510 ft/s) |
| Maximum firing range | 2,400 m (1.5 mi) |
| Feed system | 5-round internal box magazine, loaded with 5-round stripper clips |
| Sights | Open sights |
The Type I rifle (イ式小銃, I-shiki shōjū) was produced during the early years of World War II for the Japanese Empire by the Kingdom of Italy (Type I is not a numeric symbol, it denominates Italian).[3][4]
History[edit]
Following Japan's invasion of China in July 1937, domestic rifle production could not keep pace with wartime demands. This necessitated the purchase of foreign rifles such as the Karabiner 98k and Vz. 24.[5] Unlike those, the Type I was designed from the ground up for Japanese forces. It was based on the Type 38 rifle and utilized a Carcano action, but retained the Arisaka/Mauser type 5-round box magazine.[6] It was chambered for the 6.5 x 50 mm cartridge.[1] Approximately 120,000 Type I rifles were produced in 1938 and 1939, with 30,000 each manufactured by Beretta and Fabbrica Nazionale d'Armi, and 60,000 manufactured by the state arsenal in Gardone Val Trompia.[2] The final shipment reached Japan on December 28, 1939.
While frequently used by the Imperial Japanese Navy, some rifles were given to Japan's puppet regimes in China and used by garrison units of the Imperial Japanese Army until the conclusion of hostilities.[7][8]
On the collector market in the United States, the Type I rifle is uncommon but not particularly popular among collectors. Since the heritage of the Type I rifle is both Japanese and Italian, it tends to be shunned by collectors of Japanese focus. The Type I never had the Japanese Imperial Chrysanthemum markings, or other markings that typically interest collectors of Japanese militaria.[3] Many Type I rifles brought back to the United States as war trophies were reportedly captured at Kwajalein Atoll, the Philippines, or from Japan at the conclusion of hostilities.[9][10]
Users[edit]
Japan: Used by Imperial Japanese Navy, in addition to rear line units of the Imperial Japanese Army
Reorganized National Government of the Republic of China: At least 2,000 sent to Collaborationist Chinese Army
Mengjiang: 1,000 sent to Mengjiang National Army[11]
See also[edit]
- Type 38 rifle
- Chiang Kai-shek rifle
- Mosin–Nagant
- Karabinek wz. 1929
- Karabiner 98k
- MAS-36 rifle
- Mannlicher M1895
References[edit]
- ^ a b Liberatore, Gaetano. "The Japanese Type I rifle - a Carcano in Far Eastern costume". Carcano Homepage. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
- ^ a b Chegia, Giovanni (27 May 2016). The Model 1891 Carcano rifle : a detailed developmental & production history. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd. p. 170. ISBN 978-0-7643-5081-8.
- ^ a b Hudson, Mike. "6.5x50mm Arisaka Sporting Rifle". chuckhawks.com. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
- ^ Markham, George (1977). Le armi della fanteria giapponese nella seconda guerra mondiale (in Italian). Castel Bolognese: Ermanno Albertelli. ASIN B002SEB6XG. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
- ^ Ball, Robert. Mauser Military Rifles of the World (Fifth ed.). Krause Publications. p. 123. ISBN 978-1-4402-1544-5.
- ^ Bondino; F. A. Mancuso (May 2010). "Carcano-Arisaka Type 1". exordinanza.net. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
- ^ "January 31, 1946 13th Air Division weapon handover (return) list (2)". www.jacar.archives.go.jp. Japan Center for Asian Historical Records. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ^ "Weapon transfer list 186th Airfield Battalion". www.jacar.archives.go.jp. Japan Center for Asian Historical Records. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
- ^ "'Japanese Garand' WWII Semi-Automatic Rifle". NRA Museums. National Firearms Museum. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
- ^ Othais (8 November 2012). "Japanese Carcano Type I Rifle". candrsenal.com. C&Rsenal. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
- ^ "ItemSelling and loaning government ordnance". www.jacar.archives.go.jp. Japan Center for Asian Historical Records. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
External links[edit]