Chapter IX: Weapons

Section II: Infantry Weapons

2. MACHINE GUNS. a. (1) The basic machine gun is the "Nambu," Model 11 (1922) 6.5-mm light machine gun, which is a modification of the French Hotchkiss. Other types that have been directly copied are the Lewis, the Vickers, and in one instance the Oerlikon. These weapons will be found listed in the following pages. A matter of note is that Japanese machine guns generally do not employ slow initial extraction and therefore stoppages are frequent. The Japanese, in order to overcome this, have employed various methods of oiling ammunition either by automatic or gravity oilers, built directly on to the weapon, or oiling ammunition before loading into box magazines. To complicate the ammunition picture even further, they have indicated that their 6.5-mm machine guns normally use a reduced charge, possibly to overcome stoppage and to avoid pre-oiling. Also their 7.7-mm light and heavy machine guns are built to use either a rimmed, semirimmed or rimless ammunition, which, with one exception noted in the following pages, is not interchangeable.

(2) Submachine guns. No submachine gun of Japanese manufacture, comparable to the Thompson, M3 or Reising has been found, although several German Solothurn 7.63-mm (.30 cal.) and 9-mm (.35 cal.) SMGs and Schmeisser MP 28^II, SMGs have been recovered.

b. Model 11 (1922) 6.5-mm light machine gun. (1) General description. This is a gas operated, air-cooled, machine gun with hopper feed which holds 6-5 round clips of ammunition (fig. 178). Positive identification can be made from the following markings which appear on the top of the receiver and read "11th year model." It is equipped with a blade front-sight and a V notched rear leaf-sight sliding on a ramp. There is no windage or drift adjustment. The safety lever (see fig. 178) is turned down to a vertical position to make the weapon safe.

Figure 178. Model 11 (1922) 6.5-mm light machine gun.

(2) Characteristics.

Caliber		6.5-mm (0.256 inch).
Hopper capacity		6-5 round clips.
Weight		22 1/2 pounds.
Muzzle velocity		2,440 feet per second.
Sight graduations		300 to 1,500 meters.
Cyclic rate of fire		500 rounds per minute.

(3) Ammunition. Clips of 5 rounds standard or reduced charge 6.5-mm ball rifle ammunition are used.

c. Model 96 (1936) 6.5-mm light machine gun. (1) General description. This is a gas-operated, magazine-fed, air-cooled, full automatic light machine gun (fig. 179). Its appearance is somewhat similar to that of the British Bren. The markings read "Model 96" and are stamped on the top of the receiver. This weapon has a blade front sight and a leaf rear sight controlled by a "click" drum. The graduations are from 200 to 1,500 meters and there is a windage adjustment. There is also a telescopic sight with a 10° field of view and a 2 1/2 X magnification. A safety lever is located on the left side of the trigger housing and is set at horizontal to "fire," and vertical for "safe."

Figure 179. Model 96 (1936) 6.5-mm light machine gun (showing magazine, magazine filler and telescopic sight).

(2) Characteristics.

Caliber		6.5-mm (0.256 inch).
Weight (without bayonet or magazine)		20 pounds.
Magazine capacity		30 rounds.
Muzzle velocity		2410 feet per second.
Rate of fire (cyclic)		550 rounds per minute.

(3) Ammunition. 6.5-mm semirimmed cartridges in boxes marked (G) are provided for this weapon. These have the same dimensions as the standard 6.5-mm cartridge although the Japanese have indicated that these have a reduced propelling charge. The regular rifle ammunition may cause stoppages, but can safely be used.

d. Model 99 (1939) 7.7-mm light machine gun. (1) General description. This is a gas-operated, magazine-fed, air-cooled, light machine gun (fig. 180).

Figure 180. Model 99 (1939) 7.7-mm light machine gun.

Its appearance is almost identical to model 96 with the two exceptions, that it has an adjustable rear monopod and a barrel locking nut instead of a barrel catch. It can further be identified by the markings on the top of the receiver meaning "99 Model". It has a blade front sight and a rear peep sight controlled by a "click" drum graduated from 200 to 1,500 meters. There is a windage adjustment. A telescopic sight 10° field of view and 2 1/2 X magnification is also provided. The safety lever on the right side of the trigger housing is set at horizontal to "fire", and vertical for "safe".

(2) Characteristics.

Caliber		7.7-mm (0.303 inch).
Length over-all		42 inches.
Weight (without magazine or bayonet)		20 pounds.
Magazine capacity		30 rounds.
Muzzle velocity		2,300 feet per second.
Rate of fire (cyclic)		800 rounds per minute.

(3) Ammunition. The weapon uses 7.7-mm rimless ammunition only. This ammunition can be used in model 92 heavy machine gun, but the semirimmed ammunition for model 92 cannot be used in this gun.

e. Model 92 (1932) 7.7-mm Lewis type MG. (1) General description. This weapon is an air-cooled, gas operated, drum-fed, full automatic gun. (See fig. 181.) With the exception that the cocking handle is on the left and that there is no provision allowing it to be changed to the right side of the gun, if so desired, this weapon is a duplicate of the British Lewis. It can easily be recognized by its similarity to the latter weapon. The markings meaning "92 Model" are stamped on the receiver. Without removing the gun from its mount, the main portion of the tripod head can be moved from a horizontal to a vertical position, making a satisfactory AA mount. This can be done in approximately 15 seconds.

Figure 181. Model 92 (1932) 7.7-mm Lewis type machine gun.

(2) Characteristics.

Caliber		7.7-mm (0.303 inch).
Length over-all		56 inches.
Weight (without tripod)		26 pounds.
Traverse		360°.
Elevation (with mount in AA position).		85°.
Magazine capacity		47 rounds.*
Muzzle velocity		2,400 feet per second (approximately).
Rate of fire (cyclic)		600 rounds per minute.
Sight:
Front		Blade type.
Rear		Folding leaf peep-sight graduated from 0 to 1,700 meters.
* Magazines having 97 round capacity also have been found.

(3) Ammunition. 7.7-mm rimmed ammunition, Japanese copy of British 0.303, and British MK VII .303 in. ball ammunition.

f. Model 92 (1932) 7.7-mm heavy machine gun. (1) General description. This is the standard Japanese heavy machine gun. It is a gas-operated, strip-fed, full automatic, air-cooled, modified Hotchkiss-type weapon (fig. 182).

Figure 182. Model 92 (1932) 7.7-mm heavy machine gun—showing carrying handles and ammunition strip.

Its forerunner, which may still be used, was the Model 3 (1914) which fired 6.5-mm ammunition. Markings which appear on the receiver read "92 Model." The standard sights consist of a blade front sight and a rear peep sight mounted on a post adjustable for windage and range (300 to 2,700 meters). Special antiaircraft front and rear sights are provided, and there are 3 variations of optical rear sights which are often used. The weapon is set on safety by turning the trigger thumb piece.

(2) Characteristics.

Caliber		7.7-mm (0.303 inch).
Weight (including tripod)		122 pounds.
Strip capacity		30 rounds.
Rate of fire (cyclic)		450 rounds per minute.
Muzzle velocity		2,400 feet per second.

(3) Ammunition. This gun uses 7.7-mm semirimmed ammunition (ball, tracer, AP and incendiary). It can also use the 7.7 rimless ammunition if loaded on strips.

g. Model 93 (1933) 13-mm machine gun. (1) General description. This is a gas-operated, air-cooled, magazine-fed, full automatic, Hotchkiss type weapon (fig. 183). While it is primarily an antiaircraft gun, it can be used for ground purposes. This weapon has been found in single and twin mounts, (see sec. III, par. 3). The markings meaning "93 Model" appear on the receiver. The antiaircraft sights on dual mounts are of the calculating type graduated for ranges from 200 to 3,000 meters, with provision for corrections based on plane speeds varying up to 500 kilometers per hour. For ground use there is a blade front sight and a leaf rear sight graduated from 200 to 3,600 meters.

Figure 183. Model 93 (1933) 13-mm machine gun.

(2) Characteristics.

Caliber		13.2-mm (0.52 inch).
Length over-all (including flash hider)		89 inches.
Weight (without mount or magazine)		87 pounds.
Magazine capacity		30 rounds.
Muzzle velocity		2,250 feet per second.
Elevation		0° to +85°.
Traverse		360°.
Sights:
A/A—(dual mount only)		Calculating type graduated from 200 to 3,000 meters range and an estimated speed of from 0 to 500 kilometers per hour.
A/T—Front		Blade.
Rear		Folding leaf graduated from 300 to 3,600 meters.

(3) Ammunition. Ball, armor piercing, and tracer cartridges are provided.

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