Japanese Firearms

Japanese firearms of World War Two.

Japanese Type 99 Rifle

bullet Nation: Japan
bullet Adopted: 1939
bullet Designer: Colonel Arisaka
bullet Caliber:  7.7x58mm Arisaka
bullet Capacity: 5 shot
bullet Action: Bolt Action
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Mfg. by: Toriimasto Arsenal, Nagoya; Dai-Nippon Heiki Kogyo, Notobe; Kayaba Kogyo, Tokyo; Toyo Juki, Hiroshima; Tokyo Juki, Tokyo; Jinsen Arsenal, Korea 

Japanese Type 99

 

The standard issue service rifle for WWII.  The quality of the rifle and ammunition was considered poor compared to rifles of the period.  The High Command placed more value on the fighting spirit than the quality of equipment.

Japanese Type 14 Nambu

bullet Nation: Japan
bullet Adopted: 1927 (introduced 1925-26)
bullet Designer: Kijiro Nambu
bullet Caliber:  8 mm Nambu
bullet Capacity: 8 shot
bullet Action: Automatic
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Mfg. by: Nagoya, Koishikawa, and Kokura Arsenals, and Nambu Rifle Mfg. Co

 

Nambu 14th year

This is an early model with small trigger guard. Introduced in 1925-26 as a less costly variety of the 4th year and with little change remained in production throughout the war.

 

 

Japanese Type-26 Revolver

bullet Nation: Japan
bullet Adopted: 1893
bullet Designer: Nagant
bullet Caliber:  9mm Meiji 26
bullet Capacity: 6 shot
bullet Action: Revolver
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Mfg. by: Koishikawa Arsenal, Tokyo

Type 26

Meiji 26 Nem Ken Ju

 

The design of this pistol was clearly influenced by the French 1892 model, contemporary Smith & Wesson designs, and others.  Although production ceased in 1923 many saw action in WWII.

Japanese Type 94

bullet Nation: Japan
bullet Adopted: 1935
bullet Designer: Kijiro Nambu
bullet Caliber:  8 mm Taisho 14
bullet Capacity: 6 shot
bullet Action: Automatic
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Mfg. by: Nambu Rifle Mfg. Co., Kokubunji

Type 94 Shiki Kenju

Originally intended to be a cheaper option than the Type-14, it actually was more expensive because of design changes made by the army.  Called the worst pistol design in history, this gun can be fired without touching the trigger, by pressing on the exposed sear.

 

 

Japanese "Last Ditch" Type-99

bullet Nation: Japan
bullet Adopted: 1939
bullet Designer: Colonel Arisaka
bullet Caliber:  7.7x58mm Arisaka
bullet Capacity: 5 shot
bullet Action: Bolt Action
bullet

Mfg. by: Toriimasto Arsenal, Nagoya; Dai-Nippon Heiki Kogyo, Notobe; Kayaba Kogyo, Tokyo; Toyo Juki, Hiroshima; Tokyo Juki, Tokyo; Jinsen Arsenal, Korea

These rifles exhibit none of the accessories  and finish work of earlier Type 99 rifles.  The desperate situation of Empire in the later war years glaringly apparent in this example.