The Type 44 is based on the Type 38 cavalry rifle. The development of carbine weapons was aimed at providing the firepower of a traditional long rifle within a more compact body, suitable for cavalry (horsesmen) use. This typically involved shortening the barrel components while maintaining the integrity of the rest of the design.
The bolt has a typical design and orientation. It is covered by a knob and is positioned at the rear of the receiver. The shooter lifts the trigger handle, pulls it to the rear, then places it forward again, and finally lowers it along the side of the gun body, preparing the carbine to fire.
Each bullet must be managed in this way, so that the rate of fire of the weapon is directly related to the speed of the shooter. Ideally, the stock of the gun is firmly placed against the shooter’s shoulder to achieve more accurate results, while the trigger-hold is supporting the front of the gun.
The 44 model shows a slight recoil when firing, with almost no obvious muzzle flash. This helps to conceal the shooter’s position when walking and conducting hidden ambushes. The system also benefits from minimal maintenance requirements and requires almost no training for basic use. The relatively simple structure used in manufacturing the 44 model made it possible to issue thousands of these weapons along with standard infantry rifles.
A total of approximately 92,000 Type 44 carbines were produced from Japan’s military arsenal.
Service period: 1912 - 1945
User: Japanese Army
Production history
Developer: Yamasaka Seichō
Development date: 1911
Production date: 1911 - 1942
Basic specifications
Weight: 3.965 kilograms
Length: 95.5 centimeters, with bayonet 130.9 millimeters
Barrel length: 19.17 inches (487 centimeters)
Bullet: Yamasaka 6.5×50 mm
Trigger mechanism: Rotating rear-pull type trigger
Firing mode: Automatic
Initial muzzle velocity: 708 meters/second
Effective range: 500 meters
Loading method: 5-round internal magazine
Sight: Iron upright sight
Do you think this kind of weapon should be included in our battlefield?
Provide Japan with more options for rifles
- Yes
- No