Type 38 rifle

Type 38 rifle
Armémuseum (The Swedish Army Museum) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Type 38 rifle
Caption	A Type 38 infantry rifle with bayonet
Origin	Empire of Japan
Type	Bolt-action rifle
Service	1906–1945 (Japan)
Used by	See Users
Wars	World War I, Siberian Intervention, Second Sino-Japanese War, Soviet–Japanese border conflicts, World War II, Chinese Civil War, Korean War
Designer	Kijirō Nambu
Design date	1905
Manufacturer	Koishikawa Arsenal, Kokura Arsenal, Nagoya Arsenal, Mukden Arsenal
Production date	1906–1943
Number	~3,400,000
Cartridge	6.5×50mmSR Arisaka
Action	Bolt action
Rate	15–30 rounds/min
Velocity	2,660 ft/s (810 m/s)
Range	2,000 m (2,187 yd)
Max range	3,700 m (4,046 yd)
Feed	5-round stripper clip, internal box magazine
Sights	Tangent rear sight, blade front sight

Type 38 rifle. The Type 38 rifle was the standard infantry rifle of the Imperial Japanese Army for much of the first half of the 20th century. Adopted in 1906, it was designed by Kijirō Nambu to replace the Type 30 rifle and saw extensive service through World War II. Known for its reliability and the mild-recoiling 6.5×50mmSR Arisaka cartridge, it was produced in the millions and used across Asia and the Pacific.

History and development

Following the Russo-Japanese War, the Imperial Japanese Army sought to rectify deficiencies identified in its small arms, particularly the problematic Type 30 rifle. The task of designing an improved rifle was assigned to the prominent firearms designer Kijirō Nambu at the Koishikawa Arsenal. The new design, finalized in 1905, was officially adopted in 1906, the 38th year of the Meiji period, hence its designation. The rifle's development was heavily influenced by the preceding Type 35 rifle and incorporated lessons from combat in Manchuria. Primary production was undertaken at the Koishikawa Arsenal and later the Nagoya Arsenal, with additional manufacturing during World War II at the Mukden Arsenal in occupied Manchuria.

Design and features

The Type 38 is a bolt-action rifle utilizing a strong, cock-on-close action based on the Mauser system. It fires the 6.5×50mmSR Arisaka cartridge, a round known for its flat trajectory and low recoil but criticized in later service for inadequate stopping power. The rifle features a long 31.5-inch barrel, contributing to its overall length of 50 inches, which made it cumbersome in close quarters. Its safety is a large, knurled knob at the rear of the bolt. Standard sights consist of a tangent leaf rear sight graduated to 2,400 meters and a blade front sight protected by wings. A distinctive feature is the prominent dust cover on the bolt, intended to keep the action clean. The rifle was typically equipped with the Type 30 bayonet.

Service use

The Type 38 first saw major combat during World War I, notably during the Siege of Tsingtao. It became the workhorse of the Imperial Japanese Army during the Siberian Intervention and the Second Sino-Japanese War. During the latter conflict, its long range was an advantage in open terrain, but its cartridge was found to lack penetration against cover. It was widely used in the Soviet–Japanese border conflicts, including the Battle of Khalkhin Gol. Throughout the Pacific War, it served in every major campaign from the Battle of Hong Kong to the Guadalcanal Campaign and the Battle of Okinawa. Allied troops, particularly Marines on Tarawa, often encountered it. By the final stages of World War II, it was being phased out in favor of the Type 99 rifle but remained in widespread use with second-line and holdout forces.

Variants

The primary variant was the **Type 38 carbine**, a shortened version for cavalry and support troops. The **Type 44 carbine** featured an integral folding bayonet. For specialized troops, the **Type 97 sniper rifle** was developed, equipped with a 2.5x telescopic sight. Training versions included the **Type 38 training rifle**, made from deactivated receivers, and the **Type 38 cadet rifle**, a simplified, lighter model. Several commercial and export models were also produced, and some captured rifles were rechambered by China for other cartridges after the war.

Users

The primary user was the Empire of Japan. Large numbers were captured and used by Chinese forces, including the National Revolutionary Army and later the People's Liberation Army during the Chinese Civil War. It was supplied to or used by Thailand, Manchukuo, and the Philippines. The rifle saw post-World War II service in the Korean War with various belligerents. Examples were also used by Indonesian forces during the Indonesian National Revolution and by the Viet Minh in the First Indochina War.

Category:Bolt-action rifles of Japan Category:Infantry weapons of Japan Category:Rifles of World War I Category:Rifles of World War II