Type I Rifle

Type I Rifle
Type Service rifle
Place of origin  Italy
Service history
In service 1938-1945
Used by  Japan
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
Number built 80,000 [2]
Specifications
Cartridge 6.5×50mmSR Arisaka
Action Bolt action
Muzzle velocity 630 metres per second (2,100 ft/s)
Maximum firing range 2,400 metres (2,600 yd)
Feed system Internal box magazine, 5-round clip
Sights Open sights
The Arisaka rifle family, the Type I rifle is fifth from the top

The Type I rifle Arisaka (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] After the invasion of China, 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.[7] It is chambered for the 6.5 x 50 mm cartridge.[1] Approximately 80,000 Type I rifles were produced in 1938 and 1939, 40,000 manufactured by Beretta and an equal number by Italian government arsenals; the final shipment to Japan left Venice by submarine in 1941.[2][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]

References

  1. 1 2 Liberatore, Gaetano. "The Japanese Type I rifle - a Carcano in Far Eastern costume". Carcano Homepage. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Private Museum". World of Beretta. Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A. Retrieved 9 September 2015. A variation of this Model 91, denominated Arisaka, was produced in Italy (80,000; of which 40,000 were produced by Beretta) for Japan.
  3. 1 2 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. ↑ "Arisaka Rifle". Internet Movie Firearms Database. imfdb, LLC. Retrieved 9 September 2015. Related to the Arisaka is the Type I long rifle, a rifle made in Italy for the Japanese Navy that utilized the Carcano action but a magazine, stock, and barrel based on the Type 38 long rifle.
  8. 1 2 "'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.

See also

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