• Experimental Type 1 Paratrooper Rifle

    Experimental Type 1 Paratrooper Rifle

    Attachment 15197Attachment 14218Attachment 14215

    Attachment 14219Attachment 14216Attachment 14217

    ********* Click PIC to Enlarge ********

    Caliber: ....................... 6 x 50mm Japanese
    Rifling: ........................ 4 groove, right hand
    Barrel Length: ............. 19 in. (483mm)
    Overall Length: ............ 38 in. (965mm)
    Weight: ....................... 8 lb. (3.63Kg)
    Magazine capacity: ...... 5 rounds
    Qty Mfg: ...................... Less than 300

    Canadian Collector Market Value Estimate: $ 3,500+ (U.S.)

    Observations:
    Note: Article and pictures provided courtesy of MILSURPS.COM member "riceone"


    Early in the war German instructors went to Japan and helped them develop a paratrooper force. First, they used conventional weapons dropped in canisters, but after getting seperated from theie weapons by being dropped in one place and the troops in another, they looked for ways to carry a rifle in a leg bag. The T38 rifle was cut behind the bolt and a huge hinge installed, so that the butt stock could be folded back to fit in a leg bag. This is what resulted. Less than 300 of these were fabricated.

    Collector Comments and Feedback:
    This article was originally published in forum thread: Experimental Type 1 Paratrooper Rifle started by Badger View original post
The SMLE 1903-1989