The Japanese Type I (1941) 47 mm tank gun is mounted in the Type 97 Improved Medium Tank, replacing the 57 mm tank gun, a weapon of much lower velocity. The 47 mm tank model is very similar to the Type I, 47 mm antitank gun described on page 106. The breech mechanism, however, is of the semi-automatic, vertical sliding block type instead of the horizontal sliding block type. The barrel, 7 feet, 11 1/2 inches long, is of built-up construction. The firing mechanism is of the percussion hammer type, the recoil mechanism is a hydro-spring type.
The piece is free mounted in a mantlet in the turret which permits a total traverse of approximately 15 degrees. Elevation and depression of from 8 to 10 degrees may be obtained. The gun fires high explosive and armor-piercing high explosive ammunition.
Two types of telescopic sights for this gun have been recovered. Although different in size and design, they are both 4 power by 14 degrees.
Firing tests on this gun reveal that A.P.H.E. ammunition at 500 yards will penetrate 2.7 inches of homogeneous armor at normal, and 2.2 inches of homogeneous armor at 30° from normal.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber | 47 mm (1.85 ins.) | |
| Weight | 904 lbs. | |
| Length (overall) | 9 ft., 7 ins. | |
| Length of tube | 7 ft., 11 1/2 ins. | |
| Length of bore (including chamber) | 7 ft., 3/4 in. | |
| No. of grooves | 16 | |
| Width of grooves | ||
| Depth of grooves | ||
| Width of lands | ||
| Muzzle velocity (A.P.H.E. shell) | 2,700 f/s | |
| Max. range | ||
| Rate of fire | ||
| Traverse | 15° | |
| Elevation | 8° to 10° | |
| Depression | 8° to 10° | |
| Length of recoil | ||
| Ammunition | H.E. and A.P.H.E. | |
| Wt. of projectile (H.E.) | 3.08 lbs. | |
| (A.P.H.E.) | 3.37 lbs. |
Japanese: p. 106.1 (August 1, 1945)