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 Empire of Japan by Fascist Italy (Type I is not a numeric symbol, it denominates Italian).^[3][4]

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

History

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 and 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

•  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

• Type 38 rifle
• Chiang Kai-shek rifle
• Mosin–Nagant
• Karabinek wz. 1929
• Karabiner 98k
• MAS-36 rifle
• Mannlicher M1895