Type I Rifle

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]

Type I Rifle
TypeService rifle
Place of originItaly
Service history
In service1938–1945
Used byJapan
WarsWorld War II
Production history
DesignerFabbrica d'Armi Terni
Designed1938[1]
ManufacturerBeretta
Fabbrica Nazionale d'Armi
Sezione Fabbrica d'Armi Regio Esercito
Produced1938–1939
No. built120,000[2]
Specifications
Mass3.95 kg (8 lb 11 oz)
Length1,285 mm (50.6 in)
Barrel length797 mm (31.4 in)
Cartridge6.5×50mmSR Arisaka
ActionBolt action
Muzzle velocity765 m/s (2,510 ft/s)
Maximum firing range2.4 km (1.5 mi)
Feed systemInternal box magazine, 5-round clip
SightsOpen sights

History

After the invasion of China in July 1937, all Arisaka production was required for use of the Imperial Army, so under the terms of the Anti-Comintern Pact, the Imperial Navy contracted with Italy for this weapon in 1937.[5] The Type I is based on the Type 38 rifle and utilizes a Carcano action, but retains the Arisaka/Mauser type 5-round box magazine.[6] The Type I was utilized primarily by Japanese Imperial Naval Forces. It is 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 to Japan left Venice by submarine in 1941.[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.[8][9]

See also

References
  1. Liberatore, Gaetano. "The Japanese Type I rifle - a Carcano in Far Eastern costume". Carcano Homepage. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  2. Chegia, Giovanni. The Model 1891 Carcano rifle : a detailed developmental & production history. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd. p. 170. ISBN 978-0-7643-5081-8.
  3. Hudson, Mike. "6.5x50mm Arisaka Sporting Rifle". chuckhawks.com. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  4. Markham, George (1977). Le armi della fanteria giapponese nella seconda guerra mondiale (in Italian). Castel Bolognese: Ermanno Albertelli. ASIN B002SEB6XG. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  5. "Type I Carcano". Forgotten Weapons. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  6. Bondino; F. A. Mancuso (May 2010). "Carcano-Arisaka Type 1". exordinanza.net. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  7. "Private Museum". World of Beretta. Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  8. "'Japanese Garand' WWII Semi-Automatic Rifle". NRA Museums. National Firearms Museum. Retrieved 10 September 2015. In addition to the Type 38 and its variants, the Imperial Navy also possessed about 60,000 6.5mm Type 'I' rifles which had been produced in Italy both by Beretta and at government arsenals.
  9. Othais (8 November 2012). "Japanese Carcano Type I Rifle". candrsenal.com. C&Rsenal. Retrieved 10 September 2015.

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