Rifle Type 38

Type 38 was the standard rifle issued to the Imperial Japanese infantry. The weapon had a high accuracy rate and was very reliable. Records indicate 3,400,000 were produced and were also used by the United Kingdom, Thailand, Russia and China. The rifle was long and able to be used with a type 30 bayonet. The type 38 was 4’2” long and was the longest rifle in service in WW2. The additional 20” long bayonet gave the Japanese soldier an advantage when bayonet fighting was required. The average Japanese infantryman stood 5’3” and had difficulty handling such a long weapon. The small stature of the soldier also required a smaller caliber round and less of a power charge to produce less recoil when fired. These design problems lead to different versions being produced such as the carbine type 38 that was shorter and was issued to non-combat troops, the overall length was reduced to 966 mm. An airborne model was made with a folding stock and another version was called the sniper’s rifle type 97 that used a telescopic sight. Rifle type 99 used a 7.7 mm cartridge that had a folding mono pod for stability in firing at troops or aircraft. All rifles and bayonets were the property of the Emperor and were stamped with the 16 petal chrysanthemum on the receiver of the rifle and on the blade of the bayonet. This gave the common soldier a connection to the Samurai warrior class and was of great pride to the Imperial Army.

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Last Updated: 11/2/2009