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.

Close-up detail view of the Type 2 rifle grenade launcher and a 30mm projectile; note rifle barrel as part of image; color

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

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

Military lapel ribbon for the American Civil War

Military lapel ribbon for pioneering aircraft

Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Military lapel ribbon representing special forces

Military lapel ribbon for the Ukranian-Russian War

Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2

Images

1 / 2

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

2 / 2

View of the Type 2 rifle grenade launcher and a 30mm projectile above and a 40mm projectile below

❮ ❯

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Chart Military Ranks DoD Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.

©2023 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2023 (20yrs)