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List of Japanese military equipment of World War II

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The following is a list of Japanese military equipment of World War II which includes artillery, vehicles and vessels, and other support equipment of both the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA), and Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) from operations conducted from start of Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937 to the end of World War II in 1945.[1]

The Empire of Japan forces conducted operations over a variety of geographical areas and climates from the frozen North of China bordering Russia during the Battle of Khalkin Gol (Nomonhan) to the tropical jungles of Indonesia. Japanese military equipment was researched and developed along two separate procurement processes, one for the IJA and one for the IJN. Until 1943, the IJN usually received a greater budget allocation, which allowed for the enormous Yamato-class battleships, advanced aircraft such as the Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" series, and the world's largest submarines. In addition, a higher priority of steel and raw materials was allocated to the IJN for warship construction and airplane construction. It changed to a degree in 1944/45, when the Japanese home islands became increasingly under direct threat, but it was too late. Therefore, during the prior years the Imperial Japanese Army suffered by having a lower budget allocation and being given a lower priority as to raw materials, which eventually affected its use of equipment and tactics in engagements during World War II.

A majority of the materials used were cotton, wool, and silk for the fabrics, wood for weapon stocks, leather for ammunition pouches, belts, etc. But by 1943 material shortages caused much of the leather to be switched to cotton straps as a substitute.

Swords and bayonets

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Model Type Role Blade length (cm) From (year) Notes
Guntō Ceremonial sword Ceremonial purpose/Close combat variable 1875 Collective term for military swords
Type 30 bayonet Combat knife/bayonet Close combat 40 1897 Fitted on rifles from Type 30 to Type 99
Type 4 bayonet Combat knife/bayonet Close combat ? 1911 Integrated with Type 44 Cavalry Carbine
Type 2 bayonet Combat knife/bayonet Close combat 19.5 1942 Fitted on Type 2 TERA Rifle and Type 100 SMG
Pole bayonet Combat knife/bayonet Close combat 38.6 1945 Last-ditch weapon
Bamboo Spear Spear Close combat 170-200 As late as 1942-1945 Primary weapon when low on supplies

Small arms

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Pistols and Revolvers (manual and semi-automatic)

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General sources: [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
Image Name Type Role/s Action Origin Base model/s Manufacturer/s Cartridge/s Effective firing range (m) From (year) Estimated wartime quantity Unloaded wt (kg) Notes
Type 26 revolver[9] Revolver Sidearm Double-action Empire of Japan Koishikawa Arsenal 9×22mmR Type 26[9] 100 1893 [9] 59,900~ [9] 0.880 [9]
Type 94 8mm Nambu pistol[10] Pistol Sidearm[11] Recoil operated, locked breech Empire of Japan Nambu 8x22mm Nambu[12] 50–100 [11] 1935 [12] 71,000~ [12] 0.765 [12]
Type A 8 mm Nambu pistol[13] Pistol Sidearm Recoil operated, locked breech Empire of Japan Type 94 8mm Nambu pistol Nambu 8×22mm Nambu 50 1903 [13] 10,300~ 0.900
Type 14 8 mm Nambu pistol[14] Pistol Sidearm[15] Recoil operated Empire of Japan Type A 8 mm Nambu pistol Nambu 8×22mm Nambu 50 [15] 1925 [14] 400,000~ [16] 0.900 Reduced-cost version of Type A
- Nambu Type 19 "North China" pistol[17] Pistol Sidearm Short recoil, locked breech Empire of Japan Type 14 8 mm Nambu pistol Nambu 8×22mm Nambu 1944 [18] 100~ 1.106 Reliability improvements of Type 14, occupied Chinese production
- Type B 7 mm Nambu pistol[13] Pistol Sidearm Short recoil, locked breech Empire of Japan Type A 8 mm Nambu pistol Nambu 7×20mm Nambu 1909 [13] 6,000~ [19] 0.650 3/4 size of Type A
- Hino–Komuro pistol[20] Pistol Sidearm Blow-forward Empire of Japan Komuro 8×22mm Nambu
.25 ACP
.32 ACP
1908 1,200~ ?
Sugiura pistol[21] Pistol Sidearm Blow-back Empire of Japan Sugiura 8×22mm Nambu
.25 ACP
.32 ACP
1945 6,000~ ? Occupied Chinese production
- Inagaki pistol[22] Pistol Sidearm Blow-back Empire of Japan Koishikawa Arsenal 8×22mm Nambu
.32 ACP[23]
1941 50~ ?
Hamada Type pistol[24] Pistol Sidearm Recoil operated, locked breech Empire of Japan FN Model 1910 Nippon Firearms 8×22mm Nambu
.32 ACP
1941 5,000~ 0.650
Smith & Wesson Model 3 Revolver Sidearm Single-action United States of America Smith & Wesson .44 Russian
.44 S&W American
.38 S&W
.44 Henry
.44-40 Winchester
.45 S&W
.32 S&W
1870 ? 1.300
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Pistol Sidearm Single-action blow-back United States of America Colt Patent Firearms .32 ACP
.380 ACP
1903 ? 0.680

Automatic pistols and submachine guns

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Name Type Role/s Action Origin Base model/s Manufacturer/s Cartridge/s Effective firing range (m) Cyclic rate of fire (round/min) From (year) Estimated wartime quantity Unloaded mass (kg) Notes
Type 100 SMG Submachine gun Close-quarters Blow-back Empire of Japan Nambu 8×22mm Nambu 150 450–800 1939 10,000~ 3.70
Model 1 submachine gun Submachine gun Close-quarters Blow-back Empire of Japan Nambu 8×22mm Nambu 800 1935 ? 3.37
Model 2 submachine gun Submachine gun Close-quarters Blow-back Empire of Japan Nambu 8×22mm Nambu 500 800 1935 120-200 3.37
Mauser C96 (Type MO Large pistol) Machine pistol Close-quarters / Sidearm Short recoil German Empire Mauser 7.63×25mm Mauser 10000 900–1000 (M712 Schnellfeuer) 1896 ? 1.130
Type Be Submachine gun Close-quarters Open-bolt blow-back   Switzerland MP18 Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft 7.63×25mm Mauser 100 1920 445~[25] 4.18 Designation for the Swiss SIG M1920.

Used in limited numbers by the Special Naval Landing Forces in Shanghai, Hainan Island, Chuuk Lagoon and Saipan. Captured Chinese guns were also put into service.

Type Su Submachine gun Close-quarters Open-bolt blow-back  Austria S1-100 Steyr-Solothurn A.G. 7.63×25mm Mauser 200 600 1929 6,000~ 4.48 Used in limited numbers by the Special Naval Landing Forces in Shanghai and Hainan Island.

Rifles

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Tree chart of Japanese rifles of World War II
Type 30 rifle
Type 35 rifleType 30 carbineExport variants or licensed copies, e.g. Manchu Arisaka.
Type I Rifle Kingdom of ItalyType 38 rifle
Type 38 short rifleType 38 carbineExport variants or licensed copies, e.g. Estonian KL .303, Mexican Model 1913, Siamese Type 66, Thai Type 83, etc.
M1 Garand United StatesPedersen rifle United StatesType 44 carbine
Type 97 sniper rifleType 1 TERA rifleType Mo rifle I, II (Karabiner 98k) Nazi Germany
Experimental Type 4 rifleExperimental Type Hei RifleType 99 rifleType 100 TERA rifleType Mo rifle III (vz. 24) Czechoslovakia
Type 99 long rifleType 99 sniper rifleType 2 TERA rifle
Name Type Role/s Action Origin Base model/s Manufacturer/s Cartridge/s Effective firing range
(m)
From (year) Estimated wartime quantity Unloaded weight
(kg)
Notes
Type 30 rifle[26] Standard rifle Front-line Bolt-action Empire of Japan Arisaka 6.5×50mm Arisaka 450 1897 599,000~ 3.95 Limited distribution in 1945
Type 35 rifle[27] Standard rifle Front-line Bolt-action Empire of Japan Arisaka 6.5×50mm Arisaka 1902 38,200~[28] 4.20
Type 38 rifle[29] Standard rifle Front-line Bolt-action Empire of Japan Arisaka 6.5×50mm Arisaka 457 1905 3,400,000~ 3.95
Type 38 carbine[30] Carbine Close-quarters Bolt-action Empire of Japan Type 38 Arisaka 6.5×50mm Arisaka 366 1905 517,800~[30] 3.30 Main armament of IJA auxiliary troops
Type 44 carbine[31] Carbine Close-quarters Bolt-action Empire of Japan Type 38 Arisaka 6.5×50mm Arisaka 366 1911 91,900~[31] 3.30 Foldable
Type 97 sniper rifle Sniper rifle Long-Range Precision Bolt-action Empire of Japan Type 38 Arisaka 6.5×50mm Arisaka 1,500 1937 22,500~ 3.95 2.5x telescopic sight
Type 99 (short) rifle[32] Standard rifle Front-line Bolt-action Empire of Japan Arisaka 7.7×58mm Arisaka 656 1939 3,500,000~[32] 3.70 Intended to replace Type 38
Type 99 (long) rifle[33] Standard rifle Front-line Bolt-action Empire of Japan Arisaka 7.7×58mm Arisaka 656 1939 38,000~[33] 4.09
Type 2 TERA rifle Takedown rifle Front-line / Close-quarters Bolt-action Empire of Japan Type 99 Nagoya 7.7×58mm Arisaka 1943 21,200~ 3.70 Takedown variant for paratroopers
Type 99 sniper rifle Sniper rifle Long-Range Precision Bolt-action Empire of Japan Type 99 Arisaka 7.7×58mm Arisaka 1,700 1939 8,000~ 3.70 2.5x or 4x telescopic sight
Type 100 TERA rifle Takedown rifle Front-line / Close-quarters Bolt-action Empire of Japan Karabiner 98k unknown 7.7×58mm Arisaka 1940 500~ 3.90 Experimental, detachable barrel for paratroopers
Type 1 TERA rifle Takedown rifle Front-line / Close-quarters Bolt-action Empire of Japan Type 38 carbine Nagoya 6.5×50mm Arisaka 1941 250~ 3.30 Experimental, foldable for paratroopers
Type Hei rifle Battle rifle Front-line / Assault Gas-operated, toggle-action Empire of Japan Nippon 6.5×50mm Arisaka 1935 50~ 3.90 Experimental
Type 4 rifle / Type 5 Rifle[34] Battle rifle Front-line / Assault Gas-operated, rotating bolt Empire of Japan M1 Garand Yokosuka 7.7×58mm Arisaka 457 1945 250~ 4.14 Experimental
Karabiner 98k (Type Mo rifle I, II) [35] Standard rifle Front-line Bolt-action Nazi Germany Mauser 7.92×57mm Mauser 500 1937 20,000~[35] 3.90 Imported, version I for infantry and II for cavalry
vz. 24 (Type Mo rifle III)[36] Standard rifle Front-line Bolt-action  Czechoslovakia Karabiner 98AZ Považská Bystrica 7.92×57mm Mauser 1937 40,000~[36] 4.20 Imported, for both infantry and cavalry
Type I rifle[37] Standard rifle Front-line Bolt-action Kingdom of Italy Type 38 Carcano 6.5×50mm Arisaka 1939 120,000~ 3.95 Built in Italy under contract to Type 38 specification

Grenades and grenade launchers

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Grenade Launcher From (year) Type Filling Mass (kg) Notes
Type 10 grenade Type 10 1914 Fragmentation TNT 0.530 Inaccurate fuse timing
Type 91 grenade Type 89 1931 Fragmentation TNT 0.530 Improvement of Type 10
Type 92 grenade [ja] Type 10 1933 Chemical TNT 0.590 Green (skin irritant) and red (tear gas) versions, 30g bursting and 37-40g chemical charges
Type 97 grenade No 1937 Fragmentation TNT 0.450 Evolution of Type 91 optimized for hand-throw
Type 98 grenade No 1939 Fragmentation Cast picric acid 0.595 Copy of Model 24 grenade, long handle
Type 99 grenade Type 100 1939 Fragmentation Cast picric acid 0.300 Variant of Type 97 for grenade launcher
Type 2 grenade (30mm) Type 2 1942 Anti-tank 50% TNT, 50% RDX 0.230
Type 2 grenade (40mm) Type 2 1942 Anti-tank 50% TNT, 50% RDX 0.369 98mm RHA penetration
Type 3 grenade No 1943 Anti-tank 50% TNT, 50% PETN 0.830-1.270 Shaped charge, fabric body
Type 4 grenade No 1944 Fragmentation Ammonium perchlorate explosive 0.480 Ceramic (Pottery) grenade

Flare guns

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Name Type Role/s Origin Base model/s Manufacturer/s Cartridge/s From (year) Estimated wartime quantity Unloaded mass (kg) Notes
Type 10 signal pistol (35 mm) Flare gun Distress call / sidearm Empire of Japan Koishikawa Arsenal
Kokura Arsenal
1921 ?

Recoilless rifles

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Name Type Role/s Origin Base model/s Manufacturer/s Cartridge/s From (year) Estimated wartime quantity Unloaded mass (kg) Notes
Type 4 70 mm AT rocket launcher rocket launcher Anti-tank / Anti-material / Breaching Empire of Japan 72x359mm 1944 3,500~ 8
Type 5 45 mm AT rocket launcher rocket launcher Anti-tank / Anti-material / Breaching Empire of Japan ?
81mm recoilless rifle [ja] rocket launcher Anti-tank / Anti-material / Breaching Empire of Japan ? 300 produced in 1944 and used up in battle for Okinawa
10.5 cm recoilless rifle rocket launcher Anti-tank / Anti-material / Breaching Empire of Japan ?

Flamethrowers

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Name Type Role/s Origin Base model/s Manufacturer/s From (year) Estimated wartime quantity Mass (kg) Notes
Type 93 flamethrowers Flamethrower Specialized role Empire of Japan 1933 ? 26 + 4.5
Type 100 flamethrowers Flamethrower Specialized role Empire of Japan 1940 ? 26 + 4

Machine guns

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Infantry and dual-purpose machine guns

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Name Type Role/s Action Origin Base model/s Manufacturer/s Cartridge/s Effective firing range (m) Cyclic rate of fire (round/min) From (year) Estimated wartime quantity Unloaded mass (kg) Note/s
Type 11 light machine gun Light machine gun Fire support / suppression / defence Gas-operated Empire of Japan Nambu 6.5×50mm Arisaka 800 500 1922 29,000~ (Pacific Theater) 10.2
Type 89 flexible Light machine gun Fire support / suppression / defence Gas-operated Empire of Japan Type 11 light machine gun Nambu 7.7x58mmSR Type 89 1,400 1929 ? 28 Twin Type 11
Type 89 (special) Light machine gun Fire support / suppression / defence Gas-operated Empire of Japan Type 89 flexible Nambu 7.7x58mmSR Type 89 1,400 1929 ? 28 Belt-fed version of Type 89 flexible
Type 89 (modified single) Light machine gun Fire support / suppression / defence Gas-operated Empire of Japan Type 89 (special) Nambu 7.7x58mmSR Type 89 670 1938 ? 9.3 Single-barrel version of Type 89 (special) to reduce weight
Type 96 light machine gun Light machine gun Fire support / suppression / defence Gas-operated Empire of Japan Nambu 6.5x50mm Arisaka 800 550 1936 41,000~ (Pacific Theater) 9
Type 97 light machine gun Light machine gun Fire support / suppression / defence Gas-operated Empire of Japan Type 96 light machine gun Nagoya 7.7x58mm Arisaka 540 500 1937 18,000~ (Pacific Theater) 12.4 7.7 mm version of Type 96, widely used on Japanese tanks
Type 99 light machine gun Light machine gun Fire support / suppression / defence Gas-operated Empire of Japan Type 97 light machine gun Hitachi 7.7×58mm Arisaka
7.62×54mmR (VPA converted)
2,000 800 1939 53,000~ (Pacific Theater) 10.4 Reliability improvements of Type 96/97 (7.7 mm)
Type 21 light machine gun Light machine gun Fire support / suppression / defence Gas-operated Empire of Japan ?
Type 3 heavy machine gun Heavy machine gun Anti-aircraft / Airspace denial / Fire support / suppression / defence Gas-operated Empire of Japan Hotchkiss M1914 Nambu 6.5x50mm Arisaka
7×57mm Mauser
1700 400–450 1914 ? 55 Also known as 6.5mm Taishō 14 machine gun
Type 92 heavy machine gun Heavy machine gun Anti-aircraft / Airspace denial / Fire support / suppression / defence Gas-operated Empire of Japan Type 3 heavy machine gun Nambu 7.7×58mm Type 92 800 450-500 1934 45,000~ (Pacific Theater) 55.3 7.7mm version of Type 3
Type 1 heavy machine gun Heavy machine gun Anti-aircraft / Airspace denial / Fire support / suppression / defence Gas-operated Empire of Japan Type 92 heavy machine gun Hitachi 7.7x58mm Arisaka 1,400 400–450 1941 ? 36.8 Type 92 modified for weight reduction
Type 98 7.7mm water-cooled heavy machine gun [ja] Heavy machine gun Anti-aircraft / Airspace denial / Fire support / suppression / defence Recoil-operated Empire of Japan 7.7×58mm Type 92 500 1940 ? 55.5
Type 38 heavy machine gun Heavy machine gun Anti-aircraft / Airspace denial / Fire support / suppression / defence Gas-operated Empire of Japan ?
Lewis gun (Type 92 machine gun) Light machine gun Fire support / suppression / defence Gas-operated  United States 7.7x56R Type 87 IJN 800 600 1932 ? 8.5

Vehicle and aircraft machine guns

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Name Type Action Application/s Origin Base model/s Manufacturer/s Cartridge/s From (year) Unloaded mass (kg) Note/s
Type 91 machine gun Light machine gun Gas-operated Armoured fighting ground vehicles Empire of Japan Type 11 light machine gun 6.5×50mm Arisaka Type 11 light machine gun modified for automotive use
Type 92 Automotive 13 mm cannon [ja] Autocannon Gas-operated Armoured fighting ground vehicles Empire of Japan 7.7×58mm Type 92 1932
Type 97 aircraft machine gun Light machine gun Short recoil, toggle lock Nakajima B6N, Yokosuka K5Y,
Yokosuka D4Y, Aichi D3A,
Aichi E16A, Kawanishi E7K,
Kawanishi N1K and its land-based derivative,
the N1K-J, Mitsubishi J2M,
Mitsubishi F1M2, in addition to the Mitsubishi A6M Zero
and its floatplane derivative, the Nakajima A6M2-N.
Empire of Japan Type 89 FIXED 7.7x56mm R 1937 Modified Type 89 fixed
Type 4 heavy machine gun [ja] Heavy machine gun Recoil operated Empire of Japan 1944 Experimental, tested in 1942–1944, but was not accepted by army until surrender of Japan
Ho-103 machine gun Heavy Machine Gun Recoil operated

and various others.

Empire of Japan M1921 aircraft Browning machine gun 12.7×81mmSR Breda 1941
Ho-203 cannon Autocannon Long recoil Empire of Japan 37x112mmR 1940
Ho-5 cannon Autocannon Short recoil

and various others.

Empire of Japan Ho-103 machine gun 20×94mm
Type 99 cannon Autocannon API blowback  Empire of Japan Oerlikon FF 20×72mmRB 1937 Modified Oerlikon FF.
MG15 (Type 98 turret machine gun [ja]) Light machine gun Recoil operation

and various others.

 Weimar Republic 7.92×57mm Mauser 1940 Licensed production of MG15 7.62mm machine gun.
Vickers .303 (Type 89 fixed) Light machine gun Short recoil Nakajima Ki-27, Ki-43,
early Ki-44 fighters, the Mitsubishi Ki-30,
Ki-51 light bombers, the Kawasaki Ki-32 light bomber
and various others.
 United Kingdom 7.7x58mmSR Type 89 1929 12.7 License-built Vickers .303 (7.7 mm).

Artillery

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Infantry mortars

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Heavy mortars & rocket launchers

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Field artillery

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Fortress and siege guns

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Infantry guns

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Anti-tank guns

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Anti-tank weapons (besides anti-tank guns)

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Anti-aircraft weapons

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Occasional anti-aircraft guns

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Light anti-aircraft guns

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Medium & heavy anti-aircraft guns

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Name Caliber (mm) Eff. alt. From (year) Estimated quantity Mass (kg) Fire rate (RPM) Note/s
QF 3.7-inch AA gun Mk1 94 7,300 1941 0 9,317 15 captured from British
Type 11 75 6,650 1922 44 2,061 5~ used as railroad gun and in home islands fortresses
Type 14 100 10,500 1925 70 5,194 5~ civil defense in Kyushu only
Type 10 120 10,065 1927 2,000 7,800 11 cheap coastal defense tool, dual-purpose
Type 88 75 7,250 1928 2,000 2,740 18 based on QF 3-inch 20 cwt design, mainstay of civil defense
Type 89 naval gun 127 9,439 1932 1,306 20,300 11 standard heavy AA gun of IJN
Type 99 88 10,420 1938 1,000 6,500 15 2nd most produced after Type 88 for civil defense
8 cm/40 3rd Year Type naval gun 76.2 5,400 1914 69 2,600 13 dual-purpose naval gun, during World War II used on gunboats and for civil air defense
Type 3 12cm 120 13,000 1944 120 19,800 20 the only mass-produced Japanese weapon effective against B-29
Type 4 75 10,000 1944 70 5,850 10 reverse-engineered Bofors gun captured from Chinese, intended to replace Type 88, modified as Type 5 75 mm Tank Gun
Type 5 149.1 16,000 1945 2 9,200 10 had a fire-control electronic computer

Vehicles

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Tankettes

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Amphibious tanks

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Note: Amphibious tanks were used by the IJN.

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Self-propelled guns

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Tank-based

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Name Chassis Gun From (year) Estimated quantity Role/s
Ji-Ro Type 95 heavy tank 10 cm ? 1 self-propelled anti-tank gun
Hi-Ro Sha Type 95 heavy tank 10 cm ? 1 self-propelled anti-tank gun
Type 4 Ho-To Type 95 Ha-Go Type 38 12 cm howitzer 1944 1 SPG
Type 5 Ho-Ru Type 95 Ha-Go Type 1 47 mm anti-tank gun 1945 1 SP ATG
Type 1 Ho-Ni I Type 97 Chi-Ha Type 90 75 mm field gun 1941 26 SP ATG
Type 1 Ho-Ni II Type 97 Chi-Ha Type 91 10 cm howitzer 1941 54 SPG
Type 3 Ho-Ni III Type 97 Chi-Ha Type 3 75 mm tank gun 1943 31–41 SP ATG
Type 2 Ho-I Type 97 Chi-Ha Type 41 75 mm mountain gun 1942 31 SPG
Type 4 Ho-Ro Type 97 Chi-Ha Type 38 15 cm howitzer 1944 12 SPG
Short barrel 120 mm gun tank Type 97 Chi-Ha 120 mm naval gun 1945 12 SPG
Type 5 Ho-Chi Type 97 Chi-Ha Type 96 15 cm howitzer 1945 1 SPG
Type 98 Ta-Se Type 98 Ke-Ni Type 98 20 mm AA machine cannon 1941 1 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun
Type 98 20 mm AAG tank Type 98 Ke-Ni twin Type 2 20 mm AA machine cannon 1944 1 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun
Ta-Ha Type 1 Chi-He twin 37 mm high-angle gun 1942 0 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun
Type 5 Na-To Type 4 Chi-So medium tracked carrier Type 5 75 mm tank gun 1945 2 SP ATG
Type 5 Ho-Ri Type 5 Chi-Ri 1x105mm, 1x37mm, 2x20mm (AA) 1945 0 SP ATG/AAG
Type 5 Ka-To Type 4 Chi-To 1x105mm 1945 0 SP ATG

Other

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Name Chassis Gun From (year) Estimated quantity Role/s
Type 97 Ki-To SPAAG Type 97 Te-Ke Type 98 20 mm AA machine cannon 1938 1 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun
Type 98 Ko-Hi half-track prime mover unarmed 1938 unknown number towing a Type 4 75 mm AA gun
Type 98 20 mm AA half-track vehicle Type 98 Ko-Hi half-track Type 98 20 mm AA machine cannon 1942 1 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun
Type 4 Ha-To Type 4 Chi-So Type 3 30 cm mortar 1944 4 self-propelled mortar/rocket launcher

Armored cars

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Name Armament/s Rail wheels? Maker/s From (year) Estimated quantity Comment/s
Austin armoured car none No Austin Motor Company/Nissan 1920s ?
Vickers Crossley armoured car 2× 7.7mm Vickers .303 MG No Crossley 1925 ?
Wolseley armoured car 1× 6.5mm Type 3 MG No Sumida (Isuzu) under license from Wolseley Motors Limited 1928 ?
Type 2592 Chiyoda 3x6.5mm Type 11 MG No Sumida(Isuzu) 1931 200 Also known as "Chiysda" (misspelled)
(Chiyoda QSW) "Aikoku" 3x6.5mm Type 11 MG No Sumida(Isuzu) 1931 2
(Chiyoda) "Kokusan" 3x6.5mm Type 11 MG No Sumida(Isuzu) 1931 ?
Type 2592 Sumida none No Sumida(Isuzu) 1932 ?
Sumida M.2593 1x 7.7mm machine gun Yes Sumida(Isuzu) 1931 1,000 Also known as Type 91 Broad-gauge railroad tractor Sumi-Da or Type 91 armored railroad car So-Mo
Type 95 So-Ki armored APC and railroad car none Yes Mitsubishi 1935 121–135
Type 93 armoured car 1× 7.7mm Vickers .303 MG & 4x 6.5mm MG Yes Osaka Naval arsenal 1933 5 Also known as Type 2593 "Hokoku" or Type 93 "Kokusan" or "Type 92" naval armored car
Manchukyo Type 93 armored car[39] Type 11 37mm gun, Type 11 MG No Daidou (Manchu) automobiles 1933 ?
Type 2598 railroad car none Yes ? 1938 ?

Armored carriers

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Armored trains

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Railroad vehicles

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Wagons

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  • Wagon-1 reconnaissance wagon
  • Wagon-1 protective wagon
  • Wagon-2 heavy canone wagon
  • Wagon-3 light canone wagon
  • Wagon-4 infantry wagon
  • Wagon-5 command wagon
  • Wagon-6 auxiliary tender
  • Wagon-7 materials wagon
  • Wagon-7 power supply wagon
  • Wagon-8 infantry wagon
  • Wagon-9 light canone wagon
  • Wagon-10 howitzer wagon
  • Wagon-11 protective wagon

Locomotives

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Railroad cars

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Japanese has used routinely road-railroad convertible automobiles. These are covered in "Armoured cars" section

Engineering and command

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See List of Japanese Army military engineer vehicles of World War II

Trucks

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Tractors & prime movers

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  • Type 92 5 t prime mover "I-Ke"
  • Type 98 6 t prime mover "Ro-Ke" (successor model to the "I-Ke")
  • Type 92 8 t prime mover "Ni-Ku"
  • Type 95 13 t prime mover "Ho-Fu"
  • Type 94 4 t prime mover "Yo-Ke"
  • Type 98 4 t prime mover "Shi-Ke"
  • Type 96 AA gun prime mover
  • Type 98 20 mm AA machine cannon carrier truck
  • Type 98 Ko-Hi half-track prime mover
  • Experimental heavy gun tractor "Chi-Ke" (designed successor of the "Ho-Fu")
  • Fordson prime mover
  • The Pavessi gun tractor
  • The 50 hp gun tractor
  • Komatsu 3-ton tractor
  • Light prime mover
  • Clarton prime mover
  • Holt 30

Passenger cars (not armoured)

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Motorcycles

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  • Type 97 motorcycle (licensed Harley-Davidson, Rikuo production)
  • Type 93 motorcycle with side car (trike)

Miscellaneous vehicles

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  • Type 94 ambulance
  • Type 94 repair vehicle

Army vessels

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River-crossing crafts

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  • Type 95 collapsible boat
  • Type 99 pontoon bridge
  • Rubber rafts

Landing craft

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Motorboats

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  • Speedboat model Ko
  • Speedboat model Otsu
  • Suicide-Attack motorboat "Maru-Re"

Gun boats

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  • Armored boat "AB-Tei"
  • Submarine-chaser "Karo-Tei"
  • Hei-class landing craft carrier "Shinshu Maru"
  • Hei-class landing craft/aircraft carrier "Akitsu Maru"
  • Hei-class landing craft/aircraft carrier "Kumano Maru"
  • Ko-class landing craft carrier "Mayasan Maru"
  • Ko-class landing craft carrier "Kibitsu Maru"
  • Ko-class landing craft carrier "Tamatsu Maru"
  • Ko-class landing craft carrier "Hyuga Maru"
  • Ko-class landing craft carrier "Settsu Maru"
  • Otsu-class landing craft carrier "Takatsu Maru"

Transport vessels

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Aircraft

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Secret weapons

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Army secret weapons

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  • Remote-control special vehicle "I-Go"
  • Unmanned miniature special vehicle "Ya-I"
  • Remote-control special working cable car
  • Experimental mortar weapon "Ite-Go"
  • Remote-control boat "Isu-Go"
  • Rocket cannon "Ro-Go"
  • Nuclear project "Mishina"
  • Engine stopcock "Ha-Go"
  • Radio signal jamming device "Ho-Go"
  • Electromagnetic anti-tank weapon "To-Go"
  • VHF wave application research "Chi-Go"
  • High voltage weapon "Ka-Go"
  • High voltage obstacle-destroying weapon "Kaha-Go"
  • High voltage conductive wire obstacles "Kake-Go"
  • High voltage conductive wire net launching rocket "Kate-Go"
  • Infrared ray detecting device "Ne-Go"
  • Mine-detecting sonar for landing operations "Ra-Go"
  • Remote radio-control device "Mu-Go"
  • Radio-controlled boat with remote sonar and depth charge deployment device "Musu-Go"
  • Device to cause artificial lightning flashes through ray-scattering "U-Go"
  • Night vision system "No-Go"
  • Microwave heat ray "Ku-Go" (developed at the No. 9 Special Warfare Army Laboratory)
  • Infrared homing bomb "Ke-Go"
  • Intercontinental balloon bomb "Fu-Go"
  • Optical communication device "Ko-Go"
  • Rope-launching rocket system "Te-Go"
  • Blinding light ray device "Ki-Go"
  • Propaganda transmission device "Se-Go"
  • Advanced sonar system "Su-Go"
  • Anti-tank explosive spear suicide weapon "Shitotsubakurai"
  • Experimental armour for machine gunner
  • Experimental reconnaissance aircraft "Te-Go"
  • Reconnaissance autogyro "Ka-Go"
  • Defoliant bacteria bomb
  • Ceramic flea-dispersal bomb for plague propagation
  • Plan to collapse Chinese economy through introduction of counterfeit yuan
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  • I-Go 14 Type Ko-Kai 2 modified A Type 2 I-Go 14 aircraft submarine
  • I-Go 15 Type Otsu Type B I-Go 26 aircraft submarine
  • I-Go 54 Type Otsu-Kai 2 modified B Type 2 I-Go 54 aircraft submarine
  • I-Go 400 Type I-Go 402 aircraft submarine
  • Aichi M6A1 Seiran torpedo-bomber (carried in submarines)
  • Suicide Attack Diver "Fukuryu"
  • "Kaiten" Type 1 suicide attack midget submarine
  • "Kairyu" midget submarine
  • Nuclear project "F-Go"
  • Aircraft battleship class "Ise"

Radars

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Imperial Japanese Army radars

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Ground-based radar

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  • Ta-Chi 1 ground-based target tracking radar Model 1
  • Ta-Chi 2 ground-based target tracking radar Model 2
  • Ta-Chi 3 ground-based target tracking radar Model 3
  • Ta-Chi 4 ground-based target tracking radar Model 4
  • TypeA Bi-static doppler interface detector (high frequency warning device "Ko")
  • Ta-Chi 6 Type B fixed early warning device (fixed early warning device "Otsu")
  • Ta-Chi 7 Type B mobile early warning device (mobile early warning device "Otsu")
  • Ta-Chi 13 aircraft guidance system
  • Ta-Chi 18 Type B portable early warning device (portable early warning device "Otsu")
  • Ta-Chi 20 fixed early warning device receiver (for Ta-Chi 6)
  • Ta-Chi 24 mobile anti-aircraft radar (Japanese Wurzburg radar)
  • Ta-Chi 28 aircraft guidance device
  • Ta-Chi 31 ground-based target tracking radar Model 4 modified

Airborne radar

[edit]
  • Ta-Ki 1 Model 1 airborne surveillance radar
  • Ta-Ki 1 Model 2 airborne surveillance radar
  • Ta-Ki 1 Model 3 airborne surveillance radar
  • Ta-Ki 11 ECM device
  • Ta-Ki 15 aircraft guidance device receiver (for Tachi 13)

Shipborne radar

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  • Ta-Se 1 anti-surface radar
  • Ta-Se 2 anti-surface radar

Imperial Japanese Navy radars

[edit]

Land-based radar

[edit]
  • Type 2 Mark 1 Model 1 early warning radar ("11-Go" early warning radar)
  • Type 2 Mark 1 Model 1 modify 1 early warning radar ("11-Go" Model 1 early warning radar)
  • Type 2 Mark 1 Model 1 modify 2 early warning radar ("11-Go" Model 2 early warning radar)
  • Type 2 Mark 1 Model 1 modify 3 early warning radar ("11-Go" Model 3 early warning radar)
  • Type 2 Mark 1 Model 2 mobile early warning radar ("12-Go" mobile early warning radar)
  • Type 2 Mark 1 Model 2 modify 2 mobile early warning radar ("12-Go" modify 2 mobile early warning radar)
  • Type 2 Mark 1 Model 2 modify 3 mobile early warning radar ("12-Go" modify 3 mobile early warning radar)
  • Type 3 Mark 1 Model 1 early warning radar ("11-Go" modified early warning radar)
  • Type 3 Mark 1 Model 3 small size early warning radar ("13-Go" small size early warning radar)
  • Type 3 Mark 1 Model 4 long-range air search radar ("14-Go" long-range air search radar)
  • Type 2 Mark 4 Model 1 anti-aircraft fire-control radar (Japanese SCR-268)
  • Type 2 Mark 4 Model 2 anti-aircraft fire-control radar (Japanese SCR-268) (S24 anti-aircraft fire-control radar)

Airborne radar

[edit]
  • Type 3 air Mark 6 Model 4 airborne ship-search radar (H6 airborne ship-search radar) (N6 airborne ship-search radar)
  • Type 5 Model 1 radio location night vision device

Shipborne radar

[edit]
  • Type 2 Mark 2 Model 1 air search radar ("21-Go" air search radar)
  • Type 2 Mark 2 Model 2 modify 3 anti-surface, fire assisting radar for submarine ("21-Go" modify 3 anti-surface, fire-assisting Radar)
  • Type 2 Mark 2 Model 2 modify 4 Anti-Surface, Fire-assisting Radar for Ship ("21-Go" Modify 4 Anti-Surface, Fire-assisting Radar)
  • Type 2 Mark 3 Model 1 anti-surface fire-control radar ("31-Go" anti-surface fire-control radar)
  • Type 2 Mark 3 Model 2 anti-surface fire-control radar ("32-Go" anti-surface fire-control radar)
  • Type 2 Mark 3 Model 3 anti-surface fire-control radar ("33-Go" anti-surface fire-control radar)

Missiles & bombs

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Name Type From (year) Mass (kg) Role/s User/s Comment/s
Kawasaki Ki-147 I-Go Type1 – Ko guided missile 1944 1,400 air-to-surface IJA Radio-guided, also known as I-Go-1A
Mitsubishi I-Go-1B guided missile 1944 680 air-to-surface IJA Radio-guided, also known as Ki-148 or I-Go Type 1-Hei
Ke-Go guided missile 1944 680 air-to-surface IJA IR homing version of Ki-148
Funshin-dan unguided missile 1943 40 surface-to-air IJN used in battle of Iwo Jima
Funryu guided missile 1943 1,900 surface-to-air IJN Radio-guided, models Funryu-1 to Funryu-4
Yokosuka MXY7 Ohka guided missile 1945 2,140 surface-to-air IJN guided by suicide pilot
Type 92 No. 1 bomb 1932 15 air-to-surface IJA
Type 92 No. 25 bomb 1932 250 air-to-surface IJA
Type 92 No. 50 bomb 1932 500 air-to-surface IJA
Type 94 No. 5 bomb 1934 50 air-to-surface IJA
Type 94 Mod. No. 5 bomb 1934 50 air-to-surface IJA
Type 94 No. 10 bomb 1934 100 air-to-surface IJA
Type 94 No. 10 Mod. bomb 1934 100 air-to-surface IJA
Type 97 No. 6 bomb 1937 60 air-to-surface IJN used in Pearl Harbor attack
Type 98 No. 25 bomb 1938 30 air-to-surface IJN used in Pearl Harbor attack
Type 99 No. 3 Mod. bomb 1939 30 air-to-surface IJA
Type 99 No. 80 bomb 1939 800 anti-ship IJN used in Pearl Harbor attack
Type 99 No. 25 bomb 1939 30 anti-ship IJN used in Pearl Harbor attack
Type 1 No. 5 bomb 1941 50 air-to-surface IJA
Type 1 No. 10 bomb 1941 100 air-to-surface IJA
Type 1 No. 25 bomb 1941 250 air-to-surface IJA
Type 3 No. 10 bomb 1943 100 air-to-surface IJA
Type 3 No. 25 bomb 1943 250 air-to-surface IJA Skipping bomb
Type 4 No. 10 bomb 1944 100 anti-ship IJA
Type 4 No. 25 bomb 1944 250 anti-ship IJA
Type 4 No. 50 bomb 1944 500 anti-ship IJA

Unclear IJA bombs

[edit]
  • Type Ro-3
  • Type Ro-5
  • Type Ro-7

Unclear IJN bombs

[edit]
  • Type 3 No.1 28-go bomb Type 2
  • Type 3 No.1 28-go bomb Type 2 modify 1
  • Type 3 No.1 28-go bomb Type 2 modify 2
  • Type 3 No.1 28-go bomb "Maru-Sen"
  • No. 6 27-go bomb
  • Type 3 No.25 4-go bomb Type 1
  • Type 3 No.50 4-go bomb

Unclear bomb

[edit]
  • Type 4456 100 kg Skipping bomb

Cartridges and shells

[edit]

Cartridges

[edit]
Name Bullet mass (g) Bullet type Velocity (m/s) Energy (J)
7×20mm Nambu 4 FMJ 240 108
8×22mm Nambu 7 FMJ 290 274
9×22mmR Japanese 9.7 LRN 229 252
6.5×50mmSR Arisaka (9g Ball) 9 FMJ 770 2,666
7.7×56mmR (10g SP) 10 SP 844 3,463
7.7×56mmR (12g SP) 12 SP 783 3,574
7.7×56mmR (11g HPBT) 11 HPBT 761 3,265
7.7×58mm Arisaka (11g Ball) 11 FMJ 740 3,136
7.7x58mmSR (13g Ball) 13 FMJ 670 3,190

High explosive anti-tank (HEAT) shells

[edit]
Gun Caliber (mm) Mass (kg) Length (mm) Penetration (mm)
Type 90/97 tank gun 57 1.80 189 55
Type 92 infantry gun 70 3.38 281 90
Type 41 75 mm mountain gun 75 3.95 297 100
Type 38 12 cm howitzer 120 13.03 387 140
Type 4 15 cm howitzer 149 21.04 524 150

Among them, the HEAT of Type 41 mountain gun was used in action and destroyed several Allied tanks in Burma and other places. The use of the HEAT for other guns is not known.

Other HEAT shell was the projectile of Type 94 mountain gun. The HEAT of Type 94 mountain gun was not produced though it was developed.

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price and Reference Guide, edited by Phillip Peterson, ISBN 978-1-4402-3692-1
  2. ^ Derby, Harry L.; Brown, James D. (2003). Japanese Military Cartridge Handguns 1893–1945. Atglen, Philadelphia: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-1780-6.
  3. ^ Hogg, Ian; Weeks, John (2000). Military Small Arms of the 20th Century (7th ed.). Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87341-824-7.
  4. ^ Hogg, Ian; Walter, John (2004). Pistols of the World (4th ed.). Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87349-460-1.
  5. ^ Kinard, Jeff (2003). Pistols: An Illustrated History of Their Impact. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO. ISBN 1-85109-470-9.
  6. ^ McNab, Chris (2004). The Great Book of Guns: An Illustrated History of Military, Sporting, and Antique Firearms. San Diego, California: Thunder Bay Press. ISBN 1-59223-304-X.
  7. ^ Skennerton, Ian (2008). Japanese Service Pistols. Labrador, Queensland: Arms and Militaria Press. ISBN 978-0-949749-88-8.
  8. ^ Miller, David (2010). Fighting Men of World War II Axis Forces Uniforms, Equipment, and Weapons. New York City: Chartwell Book INC. ISBN 978-0-7858-2815-0.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Derby, Harry L.; Brown, James D. (2003). Japanese Military Cartridge Handguns 1893–1945. Atglen, Philadelphia: Schiffer Publishing. p. 16. ISBN 0-7643-1780-6.
  10. ^ Derby, Harry L.; Brown, James D. (2003). Japanese Military Cartridge Handguns 1893–1945. Atglen, Philadelphia: Schiffer Publishing. p. 191. ISBN 0-7643-1780-6.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b "Nambu Type 94". www.MilitaryFactory.com. May 24, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Derby, Harry L.; Brown, James D. (2003). Japanese Military Cartridge Handguns 1893–1945. Atglen, Philadelphia: Schiffer Publishing. p. 193. ISBN 0-7643-1780-6.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Hogg, Ian; Walter, John (2004). Pistols of the World (4th ed.). Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. p. 232. ISBN 0-87349-460-1.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b Hogg, Ian; Weeks, John (2000). Military Small Arms of the 20th Century (7th ed.). Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. p. 66. ISBN 0-87341-824-7.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b "Nambu Type 14". www.MilitaryFactory.com. August 7, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  16. ^ Kinard, Jeff (2003). Pistols: An Illustrated History of Their Impact. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO. p. 245. ISBN 1-85109-470-9.
  17. ^ Jowett, Philip S. (2004). Rays of the Rising Sun: Armed Forces of Japan's Asian Allies 1931-45: Volume 1: China and Manchukuo. Helion & Company Limited. p. 75. ISBN 9781906033781.
  18. ^ Derby, Harry L.; Brown, James D. (2003). Japanese Military Cartridge Handguns 1893–1945. Atglen, Philadelphia: Schiffer Publishing. p. 260. ISBN 0-7643-1780-6.
  19. ^ Hogg, Ian; Weeks, John (2000). Military Small Arms of the 20th Century (7th ed.). Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. p. 67. ISBN 0-87341-824-7.
  20. ^ Derby, Harry (1981). The Rare Japanese Hino-Komuro Pistol (3rd ed.). pp. 61–71.
  21. ^ Miller, David (2001). Illustrated Directory of 20th Century Guns. Zenith Press. p. 138. ISBN 0760315604.
  22. ^ "Japanese Semi auto Pistol 7.65 mm - Rock Island Auction".
  23. ^ "Japanese Inagaki and Sugiura Pistols at RIA". 15 April 2015.
  24. ^ Derby, Harry L.; Brown, James D. (2003). Japanese Military Cartridge Handguns 1893–1945. Atglen, Philadelphia: Schiffer Publishing. p. 231. ISBN 0-7643-1780-6.
  25. ^ "SIG Bergmann Model 1920 submachine gun". firearms.96.lt. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  26. ^ Honeycutt Jr., Fred L; Anthony, Patt F. (2006). Military Rifles of Japan. Fifth Edition, 2006. U.S.A.: Julin Books. p. 28. ISBN 0-9623208-7-0.
  27. ^ Honeycutt Jr., Fred L; Anthony, Patt F. (2006). Military Rifles of Japan. Fifth Edition, 2006. U.S.A.: Julin Books. pp. 34–35. ISBN 0-9623208-7-0.
  28. ^ Allan, Francis C.; White, Doss H.; Zielinkski, Dr. Stanley (2006). The Early Arisakas, 2006. U.S.A.: AK Enterprises. p. 71. ISBN 0-9614814-5-5.
  29. ^ Honeycutt Jr., Fred L; Anthony, Patt F. (2006). Military Rifles of Japan. Fifth Edition, 2006. U.S.A.: Julin Books. p. 84. ISBN 0-9623208-7-0.
  30. ^ Jump up to: a b Allan, Francis C.; Macy, Harold W. (2007). The Type 38 Arisaka, 2007. U.S.A.: AK Enterprises. p. 479. ISBN 978-0-9614814-4-5.
  31. ^ Jump up to: a b Allan, Francis C.; Macy, Harold W. (2007). The Type 38 Arisaka, 2007. U.S.A.: AK Enterprises. pp. 241–316. ISBN 978-0-9614814-4-5.
  32. ^ Jump up to: a b Walter, John (2006). Rifles of the World (3rd ed.). Iola, WI: Krause Publications. p. 33. ISBN 0-89689-241-7.
  33. ^ Jump up to: a b Voigt, Don (2012). The Japanese Type 99 Arisaka Rifle 2010 Edition, 2012 revision. U.S.A.: Lodestone Publications. pp. 18–20. ISBN 978-0-9801826-8-2.
  34. ^ Walter, John (2006). Rifles of the World (3rd ed.). Iola, WI: Krause Publications. p. 146. ISBN 0-89689-241-7.
  35. ^ Jump up to: a b Law, Richard D. (1993). Backbone of the Wehrmacht. Ontario: Collector Grade Publications. p. 310.
  36. ^ Jump up to: a b Ball, Robert W. D. (2011). Mauser Military Rifles of the World. Iola: Gun Digest Books. p. 123. ISBN 9781440228926.
  37. ^ Markham, George (1977). Le armi della fanteria giapponese nella seconda guerra mondiale (in Italian). Castel Bolognese: Ermanno Albertelli. ASIN B002SEB6XG.
  38. ^ Type 99 10 cm Mountain Gun
  39. ^ "Henkofholland mastermodelling military vehicles scale 1/72-1/76". Archived from the original on 2014-11-07. Retrieved 2014-11-07.
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