Arisaka
| Arisaka rifle | |
|---|---|
| File:Type99Rifle.jpg Arisaka Type 99 rifle | |
| Type | bolt-action rifle |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | ?? |
| Length | ?? |
Arisaka is a family of Japanese military bolt-action rifles, in production from approximately 1906 until the end of World War II. Common specimens include the Type 38 Rifle chambered in the 6.5mm Japanese cartridge, and the Type 99 Rifle chambered in the 7.7 mm Japanese cartridge. Many thousands of Type 99s were brought to the United States by GI's during and after World War II.
Designed by Colonel Nariakira Arisaka (1852-1915), who was later promoted to Lieutenant-General and also received the title of baron from Emperor Meiji, in 1907.
Details
The Arisaka bolt-action rifle saw heavy use everywhere the Japanese Imperial Army fought. Many captured Arisaka rifles were employed by neighboring countries both during and after WWII, in places such as China, Thailand and Cambodia. However, after the Japanese surrender in the summer of 1945, all manufacturing of rifles and ammunition stopped abruptly, causing the Arisaka to become obsolete overnight.
When compared to other rifles used during the WWII era, the Arisaka was a modest weapon. It lacked the raw force of the American rifles, although it was a truly devastating weapon if handled by an adept sharpshooter utilizing a scope. Japanese soldiers were taught to fix bayonets before every battle, using only one clip of ammunition before charging the enemy. However, the bayonets made the Arisaka rifle very inaccurate, and resulted in Japanese soldiers regarding their rifles as spears rather than firearms. In the Pacific climate, early versions of the rifle were prone to jam and malfunction from dust and water. Later models corrected these faults, as well as vastly shortening the reload time. The last of the Arisaka types to be issued, the "Type 99" was supposedly several times better than most rifles at that time, including the British Lee Enfield, the German Mauser and the American Springfield rifle, but came too late to make any real difference for the Japanese.