I know everyone is tired of copy-and-paste just because the devs are lazy; no copy-and-paste weapon makes sense because they could have just added national weapons but the Siamese SMLE III makes sense.
First, Japan would have a bolt-action rifle that allows aiming while firing
Secondly, we would have more representation of a Thai sub-faction.
Third, Japan would have a bolt-action rifle with more than 5 rounds (although I would still use the Arisaka38 and only use in Thai squads if we have them in the future).
Even so, many people will probably vote no because they don’t want copy and paste anymore or because it’s unnecessary, Now it’s time to tell the story of SMLE III in Siam
History
In 1920 the king of Siam Vajiravudh, also known as Rama VI, during his time studying in England became an avid admirer of the Lee-Enfield SMLE. He then ordered 10,000 SMLE III for his personal Regiment “The Wild Tiger Corps”. The Regiment also included his personal Royal Guards.
King Rama VI with members of the Wild Tiger Corps
The “Wild Tigers” were a Paramilitary Regiment founded by Rama VI in person in 1911 with the purpose and function of civil order and close protection.
The rifle is produced by Birmingham Small Arms, It was produced with distinctive tiger’s head on the receiver. The rifle shows matching Siamese characters on the breech, bolt and barrel that guarantees originality. The finish is very similar to all weapons produced by BSA, with the trademark high grade finish. However, in the case of the Siamese model the build quality is superior, perhaps due to such a small batch being ordered or possibly due to explicit requests of the monarch.
Many were destroyed during the Japanese invasion of WW2 with the few surviving rifles falling victim to the harsh Jungle environment.
The bayonet it is the standard 1907 SMLE model but has the Wild Tiger Corps logo instead of the Crown. The sheath has the same shape as the classic SMLE but is produced in metal. Also known very rare leather sheaths with specific siamese markings.
Availability
Japan was going to have a bolt-action rifle with 10 rounds like the USA TT.
Gameplay Purpose & Role
It fills the gap of a bolt-action rifle with more ammo in the magazine than 5 rounds of Japan TT And Japan would have a bolt-action rifle with 10 rounds with the advantage to fire while aiming like the USA.
Japan has no other option with a 10-rounds bolt-action rifle, there’s only one prototype of the Arisaka 38, of which we only have two blueprints.
And Darkflow doesn’t care about uniqueness, Just look at the amount of copy-and-paste across all nations and Df wants to balanc all nations. For that all nations have assault rifles, jets and SF most of them prototypes.
Better TT option would be a M1888 Mannlicher, because that’ll be unique but still provide the Japanese with a Thai rifle that should be capable of the aiming-whilst-cycling feat.
Honestly, the regiment you brought up sounds so cool I definitely want it as a event squad instead.
A unique Thai weapon that meets the criteria without being an SMLE in Japanese tree.
Im not 100% against the idea but as others have said I do strongly question the point of giving Japan SMLEs when there are many other guns we havent seen in the game at all.
I also agree that Japan doesnt need a 10 round rifle when almost all bolt actions in WW1 and WW2 were 5 rounds.
In fact to my knowledge the SMLE (and Mk 4) were the only 10 round bolt action rifles unless there was some crazy prototype of other guns.
I dont think Allies alone having SMLE is OP, its how it was in real life and we could hardly call Japanese rifles underpowered, they are some of the best in the game.
Furthermore, as noted by OggeKing, the Ross rifle (5 rounds) is still a very popular choice for Allies.
Indeed SMLEs are actually not that common in games surprisingly, I normally see Allied players with Springfields, Ross, M1 carbine or Garand if its BR III.
I’d also add in regards to Siamese SMLEs, the source here says most were destroyed or were not suited to the jungle environment. There is no indication of Thai or Japanese forces using them in combat.
And given the King’s study in England and admiration of a British weapon plus business dealings with the BSA I dont think its right giving the Axis this weapon. (It would be like giving an Italian or German weapon used by a Vichy French colony to the Allies)
This isnt a prototype I meant we dont need everyone getting 10 round bolt actions because they werent a thing besides the Lee Enfield rifles and I stated my reasons why its OKAY for Allies to be the only ones with .303s.
DF wants to balance all nations, that’s why we have jets, assault rifles and SF for all nations, so it’s only a matter of time before we have bolt-action rifles with more than 5 rounds in the TT of Japan and the USSR.
And I’d rather have a weapon of which 10,000 units were purchased than have prototypes.
I don’t think that the Western Allies having a 10 round bolt action rifle has a very noticable effect on game balance, especially considering that semi-autos also exist at the same BR.
Weapon Type