Type 44 Cavalry Carbine
Kokura Arsenal · Carbine · Out Of Production · 1911
Also known as: Yonjuyon-nen Shiki Kihei-juu, Type 44 Carbine, Arisaka Type 44
Overview
The Type 44 Cavalry Carbine was an evolution of the Type 38 carbine designed specifically for mounted troops, introduced in 1911 (Meiji Year 44). Its defining feature is a permanently attached folding 'needle' bayonet that swings forward into the firing position and folds backward into a recess in the forend when stowed. This eliminated the need for cavalry troopers to manage a separate detachable bayonet while on horseback.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3300 g (116.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 966 mm (38.03") |
| Folded Length | 966 mm (38.03") |
| Barrel Length | 487 mm (19.17") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 685 m/s (2247 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2110 J (1556 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2000 m (2187 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 10 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 6.5x50mm Arisaka · primary — also known as 6.5x50mmSR Arisaka, 6.5 Jap, 6.5mm Japanese
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Stripper Clip, Internal Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Wing Safety, Bolt Dust Cover
- Features: Permanent Folding Bayonet, Stripper Clip Loading, Five Round Internal Magazine, Sliding Dust Cover, Ladder Rear Sight, Shorter Barrel For Horseback
Variants
- Type 44 First Pattern — Early Production
- Type 44 Second Pattern — Production
- Type 44 Third Pattern — Late Production
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Imperial Japanese Army Cavalry · adopted 1912 · as Type 44
- Republic of China
- Korean People's Army
Conflicts
- World War I (1914-1918)
- Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945)
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Chinese Civil War (1927-1949)
- Korean War (1950-1953)
Production
Estimated total produced: 92,000 · Production years: 1912-1942
Approximately 92,000 units produced across three pattern revisions, primarily at Koishikawa/Kokura Arsenal.
Origin
Country of origin: Japan
Designer: Colonel Nariakira Arisaka
Discontinued: 1942
Notes
The Type 44 went through three production patterns distinguished primarily by the design of the bayonet's nose cap. It remained in front-line service longer than many of its peers, with the Imperial Japanese Army still issuing it during the Pacific Theater of World War II and large quantities being captured and reissued by Chinese, North Korean, and Soviet forces.
Background
The Type 44's permanently mounted folding bayonet meant a cavalry trooper could go from carbine to lance with the flick of a wrist, but the design also made the rifle a single-purpose weapon: there was no way to remove the bayonet for cleaning or replacement, so a damaged bayonet often condemned the entire carbine to depot repair.