Type Ko Rifle
Kokura Arsenal · Rifle · Prototype · 1932
Also known as: Experimental Automatic Rifle Type Ko, Japanese Pedersen Rifle, Shisei Jido Shoju Ko-go
Overview
The Type Ko was an experimental Japanese self-loading rifle trialed by the Imperial Japanese Army in the early-to-mid 1930s. It was a licensed adaptation of John Pedersen's toggle-delayed blowback rifle, fitted with an Arisaka-style front cap and sight and fed from a rotary magazine chambered for the 6.5x50mm Arisaka cartridge. Developed in competition with the rival Type Otsu and Type Hei designs, it was never adopted for service.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4080 g (143.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1149 mm (45.24") |
| Barrel Length | 610 mm (24.02") |
| Action Type | Delayed Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 10 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Rotary |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 6.5x50mm Arisaka · primary — also known as 6.5x50mm SR, 6.5mm Japanese, 6.5x50mmSR Arisaka, 6.5 Jap
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: 10-Round Rotary Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Toggle-Delayed Blowback (Pedersen Hesitation Lock), Arisaka-Style Front Barrel Cap And Sight, Rotary Magazine In Place Of The En-Bloc Clip, Self-Loading Operation
Production
Production years: 1930s
Small number of prototypes built for Imperial Japanese Army trials; never mass-produced.
Origin
Country of origin: Japan
Designer: John Pedersen
Notes
Japanese designation shitsei jido shoju Ko-go (試製自動小銃甲号). Exact production figures and some physical specifications are unconfirmed; physical dimensions are estimated from the parent Pedersen rifle design.
Background
After his .276-caliber toggle rifle lost to the Garand in US trials, John Pedersen took the design abroad, and Japan was among the nations that tested it. The Japanese swapped Pedersen's en-bloc clip for a rotary magazine and grafted on an Arisaka-style muzzle cap, but the Type Ko never beat out its Type Otsu and Type Hei rivals.