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Type 2 (Rifle Grenade Launcher)


Rifle Grenade Launcher [ 1936 ]



The Type 2 served the Imperial Japanese Army throughout their conquest of the Pacific.



Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 02/17/2017 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]
The Type 2 was a weapon system in service with the Imperial Japanese Army by the time of World War 2. The system attached to the barrel end of the standard issue Japanese infantry rifle and served as a "rifle grenade launcher". The Type 2 could fire 30mm or 40mm grenades as needed.

The Type 2 could be fitted to the business end of either the Type 38 or Type 99 rifles. The Type 38 of 1905 origin was a bolt-action system and produced in 3,400,000 examples, seeing action from the Russo-Japanese War into the Vietnam War. The Type 99 of 1939 was another bolt-action rifle of newer design and was produced from 1939 to 1945, seeing actions in the Second Sino-Japanese War up through the Chinese Civil War. Regardless, the Type rifle launcher was designed to fit the barrel of either weapon and the operator had the choice of two grenades to fire.

The 30mm grenade featured a length of 6.4 inches with a weight of 8.1 ounces. It was fitted with a half TNT / half RDX explosive compound to make short work of unarmored targets. The 40mm grenade was 7.1 inches in length and weighed in at 13 ounces. It was also fitted with the half TNT / half RDX compound but maintained some armor penetration properties up to 3.88 inches. The two projectiles were differentiated by their external design - the 30mm type was more streamlined while the 40mm type featured a noticeable division between the upper and lower body. Both sported rifling at their bases to provide the needed spin when launched. This spin helped to achieve some level of accuracy when in trajectory.

The Type 2 launcher was clamped over the muzzle of the Japanese service rifle. The actual grenade was activated by way of a wooden bullet or blank cartridge inserted by the operator and fired during the standard bolt-action firing procedure.

As a weapon system in the jungle-filled Pacific, the Type offered the regular Japanese soldier the capability to dislodge an enemy from a dug in position or apply a certain psychological effect to the battle. The grenade extended the reach and lethality of the typical soldier, allowing him to fire the projectile by way of trajectory without exposing himself to enemy fire.©MilitaryFactory.com
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Specifications



Various State Factories - Japan
Manufacturer(s)
Imperial Japan
Operators National flag of modern Japan
1936
Service Year
Imperial Japan
National Origin


FIRE SUPPORT
Capable of suppressing enemy elements at range through direct or in-direct fire.
SPECIAL PURPOSE
Special purpose weapon for a specially defined battlefield role.


2.20 lb
(1.00 kg)
Empty Weight
Uses rifles action with wooden bullet/blank cartridge for ignition.
Action
30mm / 40mm
Caliber(s)
May not represent an exhuastive list; Calibers may be model-specific dependent; Always consult official manufacturer sources.
Single Shot
Rounds
Rifle Sights
Sights


Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information.

Type 2 - Base Series Designation


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Images



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Image of the Type 2 (Rifle Grenade Launcher)
Close-up detail view of the Type 2 rifle grenade launcher and a 30mm projectile; note rifle barrel as part of image; color
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Image of the Type 2 (Rifle Grenade Launcher)
View of the Type 2 rifle grenade launcher and a 30mm projectile above and a 40mm projectile below

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