Type 4 Rifle
Imperial Japanese Navy Arsenals · Rifle · Discontinued · 1945
Also known as: Type 5 Rifle, Japanese Garand, Arisaka Type 4
Overview
The Type 4 Rifle was a Japanese gas-operated, semi-automatic battle rifle developed late in World War II as a near-direct copy of the American M1 Garand, re-engineered for the 7.7x58mm Arisaka cartridge. Built at the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal for the Imperial Japanese Navy, it replaced the Garand's eight-round en-bloc clip with a fixed ten-round internal magazine charged by two five-round stripper clips, and fitted Japanese-style tangent sights. Development began in 1944, but the war ended before the rifle entered service; only a small number were ever completed.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4097 g (144.5 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1073 mm (42.24") |
| Barrel Length | 590 mm (23.23") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 10 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 715 m/s (2346 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2890 J (2132 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.7x58mm Arisaka · primary — also known as 7.7 Japanese, 7.7mm Type 99, 7.7x58mm rimless
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Integral Magazine, Stripper Clip
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Integral Box Magazine, Stripper Clip Loading, Tangent Rear Sight, Gas Operated Rotating Bolt
Service history
Operators
- Imperial Japanese Navy · as Type 4
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Estimated total produced: 100 · Production years: 1945
Approximately 100 rifles completed out of an estimated 250 begun at the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal; none saw combat service before Japan's surrender in August 1945.
Origin
Country of origin: Japan
Designer: Yokosuka Naval Arsenal
Discontinued: 1945
Notes
Often referred to as the Type 5 because work continued into 1945. Estimates put roughly 100 rifles completed out of about 250 begun, with many never fully assembled. Surviving examples are extremely rare collector pieces.
Background
When American forces overran Pacific positions, captured M1 Garands impressed Japanese ordnance engineers, who reverse-engineered the design into the Type 4. The war ended before mass production could begin, making the rifle one of the rarest Japanese small arms of the conflict.