Arisaka

Arisaka rifle
Arisaka rifle
	Various Arisaka rifles on display at theMilitary Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution
Type	Bolt-actionservice rifle
Place of origin	Empire of Japan
Service history
In service	1897–1961
Production history
Designer	Arisaka Nariakira; Kijirō Nambu
Designed	1897
Variants	Type 30; Type 30 carbine; Type 35; Type 38; Type 38 carbine; Type 38 sniper rifle; Type 44 carbine; Type 97 sniper rifle; Type 99; Type 99 sniper rifle; TERA
Specifications
Cartridge	6.5×50mmSR Type 30; 6.5×50mmSR Type 38; 7.7×58mm Type 92; 7.7×58mm Type 97; 7.7×58mm Type 99
Action	Bolt-action
Feed system	5-round internal magazine; (reloaded viastripper clip)
Sights	Rear:ladder, tangent (Type 35); Front:fixed blade; Sniper variants:factory-zeroed scope

TheArisaka rifle(Japanese:Hữu bản súng,romanized:Arisaka-jū) is a family of Japanesemilitary bolt-action service rifles,which were produced and used since approximately 1897, when it replaced theMurata rifle(Thôn điền súng,Murata-jū) family, until the end ofWorld War IIin 1945. The most common models include theType 38chambered for the6.5×50mmSR Type 38cartridge, and theType 99chambered for the7.7×58mm Type 99cartridge, which is comparable in power to a modern.308 Winchesterround.

History

The Arisaka rifle was designed under the supervision of ColonelArisaka Nariakira(Hữu bản thành chương;1852–1915), who was later promoted tolieutenant generaland also received the title ofbaronfromEmperor Meiji,in 1907. The design was similar to, and may have been influenced by the German Rifle Test Commission 8mm Model 1888 bolt-action rifle, which was based on the earlierMauserdesign.^[1]Over the course of several wars, the rifle went through multiple production runs, during which several variants were developed, including the transition from the 6.5mm Type 38 cartridge to the larger 7.7mm Type 99, as well as the introduction of a paratrooper rifle that could be broken down into two major parts for easier stowage during airborne operations. Post war testing of Arisaka rifles revealed that their bolts and receivers were constructed ofcarbon steel"similar to SAE steel grade No. 1085 with a carbon content of 0.80% to 0.90%, and a manganese content of 0.60% to 0.90%."^[2]During destructive stress tests, the Arisaka rifles were shown to be stronger than the American madeM1903 Springfield,British madeLee–Enfield,and GermanMauserrifles.^[3]The Arisaka rifles were also one of the only firearms of the era to usepolygonal riflingin its barrel, rather than lands and grooves.

Some of the early issue Type 99 rifles were fitted with a folding wire monopod intended to improve accuracy in the prone position. The rear sights also featured folding horizontal extensions to give a degree of lead suitable for firing at aircraft. Near the end of World War II,ersatzmodels were manufactured with various cost-cutting measures, with the goal of cheaply bolstering the imperial armed forces. Some of these cost cutting measures included the replacement of the ovoid bulb-shaped bolt of earlier runs with a smaller, more utilitarian cylindrical shape. Additionally, the hand guard on the barrel was omitted, and crude fixed sights were fitted to the weapon.

The Arisaka bolt-action service rifle was used everywhere in theImperial Japanese Armyand theImperial Japanese Navy.Prior to World War II, Arisakas were used by theRoyal NavyandRussian Army,inFinlandandAlbania.TheCzech Legionsthat fought in theRussian Revolutionwere almost entirely armed with Type 30 and 38 Arisaka rifles. Many captured rifles were employed by neighboring countries both during and after World War II, by nations such as China, Thailand and Cambodia. After the Japanese surrender from World War II in the summer of 1945, the manufacture of Arisaka rifles and ammunition stopped abruptly, quickly becoming obsolete. As most weapons from the Imperial Japanese Armory were thrown into Tokyo Harbor after the signing of the surrender, ammunition for the Arisaka rifle also became rare, although China continued to manufacture6.5×50mmSRand7.7×58mmfor use in their captured rifles.

The imperial ownership seal, a 16-petalchrysanthemumknown as theChrysanthemum Flower Sealstamped upon the top of the receiver in all official imperial-issue rifles, has often been defaced by filing, grinding, or stamping on surviving examples. While there are conflicting claims that this was done on the orders of the Imperial Japanese Military prior to surrender, it is generally accepted by most historians that the imperial chrysanthemums were ground off the rifles on the orders from GeneralDouglas MacArthur,the commander of occupation forces at that time.^[4]To date, no documentation from either Japanese or U.S. forces has been found that required the defacing. Most of the Arisakas with surviving insignia are in Japan, though there are a few remaining on samples taken as war trophies before the surrender, and those captured by Chinese forces. Some of the captured Sino Arisakas were later exported to the United States, examples including a number ofType 38 carbinesandType 44 carbinesrebarrelled and rechambered for the7.62×39mmround. SomeType 38 riflesandType 99 riflescaptured by theKuomintangforces were also converted to fire the7.92×57mm Mauserround.

Many of the Chrysanthemum Seals were completely ground off, although some were only defaced with a chisel, scratched off, or had the number "0" stamped repeatedly along the edges. The latter was usually done with rifles removed from Japanese military service (and thus no longer the emperor's property), including rifles given to schools or sold to other nations, such as theBritish Royal Navy's purchase of many Type 38s in World War I to free upSMLErifles for their land forces.

A very small run of Type 38 rifles was also manufactured for export to Mexico in 1910, with the Mexican coat of arms instead of the imperial chrysanthemum, though few arrived before theMexican Revolutionand the bulk remained in Japan until World War I, when they were sold toImperial Russia.

Many thousands of Type 99s and other Arisaka variants were brought to the United States byArmysoldiers andMarinesaswar trophiesduring and afterWorld War II.

Models

Arisaka model tree chart

Type 30 rifle

Type 35 rifle

Type 30 carbine

Export variants or licensed copies, e.g. Manchu Arisaka.

Type I Rifle

Type 38 rifle

Type 38 short rifle

Type 38 carbine

Export variants or licensed copies, e.g. Estonian KL.303, Mexican Model 1913, Siamese Type 66, Thai Type 83, etc.

Type 99 long rifle

Type 30

First rifle of the Arisaka series. Chambered in6.5×50mmSR Type 30.554,000 built.

Type 30 carbine

Carbine variant of the Type 30; 300 mm shorter. 45,000 built.

Type 35

Officially designated asType 35 navy rifle.Also in6.5×50mmSR Type 30.

Design overhaul based on the Type 30 for theImperial Japanese Navy Land Forcesby MajorNambu Kijirō.Changes include tangent type rear sight, separate sliding bolt cover (as opposed to simultaneously moving ones on all other types after) of the same type later used on theSiamese Mauser style rifle,hook safety replaced with a large knob cocking piece to protect from gases in case of a blown primer, larger bolt handle knob, improved bolt head, gas port in bolt body, and improved chamber configuration for better cartridge feeding.

Type 38

Developed by MajorNambu Kijirō.Chambered in6.5×50mmSR Type 38,Type 30 cartridge is also usable. A short variant exists for ease of handling, its length is between the basic rifle and the carbine.

One of the most produced and commonly encountered model. Designed in 1905 and simultaneously produced until 1942 with 3,400,000 built.

Type 38 carbine

Carbine variant of the Type 38; 300 mm shorter. Also fielded by support personnel.

Type 44 carbine

Carbine derived from the Type 38 rifle. Chambered in6.5×50mmSR Type 38,Type 30 cartridge is also usable. Distinguishing features are its folding spike bayonet and two-piece takedown cleaning rods concealed within the buttstock. Originally intended for the cavalry, also used by other support personnel.

Type 97 sniper rifle

One of the two main sniper rifles in imperial military service. Based on the Type 38 rifle. Chambered in6.5×50mmSR Type 38,but more commonly usedreduced charge cartridgesassociated with theType 11and96light machine guns for lighter recoil, reduced report, camouflaged muzzle flash, and overall accuracy. Uses factory-zeroed Type 97 telescopic sight (2.5X).

About 22,500 built.

Type 99

Successor to the Type 38 rifle. Chambered in7.7×58mm Type 99,later rimless variants of the Type 92 and 97 cartridges also usable.

Designed in 1939, then produced and fielded from 1941 to 1945, the Type 99 was the most common Imperial Japanese service rifle of World War II and second most produced imperial rifle with 2,500,000 built. Significant changes are the improvement of the rear sight form transitioning from a V-notch type like those on a Type 38, to an aperture, the front sight blade was renewed to a triangular shape, chrome-lined barrels were used, and on earlier productions, the rear sight was equipped with anti-aircraft calipers.

Sub-variations included a long rifle (approximately only 38,000 made), and short rifle; former being 1258 mm in total and latter being 1118 mm. The short rifle also varied in quality from initial, intermediate, to last-ditch.

Type 99 sniper rifle

The other sniper rifle of the Imperial Japanese Military. Built on both the long and short models with the latter being higher in number. Chambered in7.7×58mm Type 99,later rimless variants of the Type 92 and 97 cartridges also usable. The larger, more powerful caliber allowed the ballistics to be less affected by windage at the cost of stronger recoil. Two different types of scopes were issued to the rifles: the Type 97 2.5X telescopic scope, or the Type 99 4X telescopic scope. Later production of the Type 99 scope allowed for distance adjustment. Scopes were issued with their respective holsters and were often detached from the rifle and placed within them while advancing.

By doctrine, snipers of the imperial military were selected by their skill in marksmanship. The caliber of the rifle assigned to a sniper corresponded with the ammunition of the company he served under.

Production began in May 1942. Total number made is approximately 10,000.

TERA

A small series of takedown rifles produced for theimperial army paratroopersandimperial navy paratroopers.The only production model is the Type 2 based on the Type 99 short rifle; the rest are two proto-test types (Type 100 and Type 1). The Type 2 is chambered in7.7×58mm Type 99,later rimless variants of the Type 92 and 97 cartridges also usable.

The Type 2 allowed for compact storage by breaking down to two pieces: the stock and action, and barrel and handguard.

About a total of 19,000 were produced from 1942 to 1944.

Bayonets

Type 30

Created simultaneously with the Type 30 rifle, this sword-type bayonet is compatible with all variants of the Arisaka rifle except for the Type 44 carbine. Twenty different variations exist, and is further categorized by early, mid, and late-war production phases. Also fixable on Type 96 and99light machine guns.

Type 35 bayonet

The Type 35 bayonet is a slightly modified Type 30 bayonet made specifically for the Type 35 rifle. The dimensions of the bayonet are almost exactly the same as the Type 30 bayonet. The only significant difference between the two is the added addition of a sprung catch that hooks into the scabbard when not in use.^[5]

About 8,400,000 were made.

Type 44

Fixed permanently on the Type 44 carbine, this spike-type bayonet is foldable under the handguard and does not interfere with the barrel when deployed.

Type 2

With the long length of the Type 30 bayonet unfit for concealing within a paratrooper's personal equipment set, this knife-type bayonet was created to address this issue. Twenty centimetres shorter than a Type 30, its total length is 32.3 cm. Used primarily with the Type 2 TERA rifle or theType 100 submachine gunby the Imperial Military Airborne Divisions.

About 25,000 were made.

Details

As with all captured foreign firearms they may be dangerous when fired, due to both the lower quality of the "last-ditch" rifles produced during the end-half of World War II, and to modifications performed by returning U.S. servicemen on those rifles.Ammunitionfor the Arisaka series, which were often battlefield pick-ups, orsouvenirs,were not readily available after the end of the war. Consequently, many were rebored or rechambered for readily available calibers of that time. Additionally, some were occasionally rendered inoperable prior to being shipped home, or even potentially sabotaged. The manner in which rifles may have beendemilledcan include permanently damaging the receiver or removal of parts.

Rear sight of a Type 99 with intact anti-aircraft calipers deployed.

Type 38s in particular were commonly rechambered to 6.5×.257 Roberts, awildcat cartridgemade using the readily available.257 Robertscases with the neck expanded to use 6.5mm bullets specific to the already existing barrel. Likewise, the Type 99 in 7.7×58mm were known to be converted to.30-06 Springfield,which is again of similar but not identical dimensions. While the.30-06 can be fired by lengthening the chamber of the rifle slightly (from 58 to 63mm), the 7.7mm case is slightly wider than the.30-06 and uses a slightly larger-diameter bullet, meaning a.30–06 cartridge case will swell slightly to fit the oversized chamber, and a standard.30-06 bullet with a.308 diameter will not provide a good fit to the.310–312 diameter rifling.

Those seeking ammunition for their Type 99 rifles often manufacture it by modifying.30–06 cases. The German7.92×57mm Mausercartridge may also be used with the proper.311 diameter bullet. The widely availableBritish.303bullets also provide a proper fit for the firearm's rifling.Normacurrently manufactures stock 7.7×58mm ammunition, as well as making new brass available for reloaders.Hornadyalso produces new Arisaka ammunition in both 6.5mm and 7.7mm calibers. Since the base of the 7.7mm case is slightly larger than the.30-06 (thereby causing varying amounts of bulging in the reformed brass), some owners may find it preferable to use proper brass or new factory cartridges. Bullets and powder charges of surplus.303 British ammunition may also be loaded into proper 7.7×58mm cases to produce rifle cartridges with ballistics that are similar to the original Japanese military load.

Gallery

Full view of a late model Type 99
Buttstock of the Type 99
Locked Type 99 bolt
Unlocked Type 99 bolt
Close-up of the Type 99 bolt
Barrel of the Type 99 showing rifling
Type 30 bayonet
Type 99 with Type 30 bayonet attached

References

^Harriman, Bill (2019).The Arisaka Rifle.New York: Osprey. p. 16.ISBN 9781472816122.
^Hatcher p. 231
^Hatcher p. 206
^Honeycutt & Anthony p. 12
^Allan; White; Zielinkski. p. 78

Hatcher, Julian, Major General, (U.S.A. Ret.; 1962).Hatcher's Notebook.Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Publishing. {LCCN|62-12654}}.
Honeycutt, Fred L. Jr. and Anthony, Patt F. (2006).Military Rifles of Japan.Fifth edition. Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.: Julin Books.ISBN 0-9623208-7-0.OCLC 36307608.

External links

Preceded by Murata	Imperial Japanese Armyservice rifle 1898–1945	Succeeded by End of the Imperial Japanese Military M1 Garand

[1] Harriman, Bill (2019).The Arisaka Rifle.New York: Osprey. p. 16.ISBN 9781472816122.

[2] Hatcher p. 231

[3] Hatcher p. 206

[4] Honeycutt & Anthony p. 12

[5] Allan; White; Zielinkski. p. 78

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v t e Japanese infantry weapons ofWorld War II
Bladed weapons	Swords:Guntō,Bayonets:Type 30,Type 2
Handguns	Type 26 revolver Type 14 (Nambu) North China Type 19 Sugiura Type Type 94 pistol Hamada Type 1, Type 2 pistols
Rifles(Arisaka)	Type 30 Type 30 carbine Type 35 Type 38 Type 38 carbine Type 44 carbine Type 97 sniper rifle Type 99(Type 99 sniper rifle) TERA
Rifles(other)	Type 97 automatic cannon Type Hei rifle Type Kō rifle Type 4 automatic rifle Type I rifle TypeMo
Submachine guns	Experimental Model 1 Experimental Model 2 Type 100 TypeBe TypeSu Beretta Model 38
Light machine guns	Type 11 Type 89 Type 92 Type 96 Type 97 Type 98 Type 99 Type 1
Heavy machine guns	Type 3 Type 92 Type 93 Type 97 Type 1
Hand grenades	Type 10 Type 91 Type 97 Type 98 Type 99 Type 3 Type 4
Grenade launchersand attachments	Type 10 Type 89 Type 100 Type 2
Rocket launchers	Experimental Type 4 Experimental Type 5
Flamethrowers	Number 1 Number 2 Type 93 Type 95 Type 100
Riflecartridges	6.5×50mmSR Type 30/Type 38 7.7×58mmSR Type 89 7.7×58mmSR Type 92 7.7×58mm Type 97/Type 99 7.7×56mmR British 7.92×57mm Mauser
Handgun cartridges	7×20mm Nambu 8×22mm Type 14 9×19mm Parabellum 9×22mmR Type 26