The new rifle of the Japanese army: The 1935 Navy Rifle
The 35th Model Naval Rifle was a bolt-action rifle designed by Japanese firearms designer Kichiro Nishimura in 1902 (the 35th year of the Meiji era). It is a derivative model of the 30th Model Rifle.
At the request of the Japanese Navy, Kichiro Nishimura developed the 1935 Navy Rifle based on the 1903 rifle. It was first equipped for use by the Navy Marines in 1902, replacing the outdated Martini-Henry rifle.
Southern Kishiro
The overall appearance of the 35-year model naval rifle is basically the same as that of the 30-year model rifle, except that the sight scale has been changed to a vertical frame type. Additionally, to overcome the problem of weak spring strength of the firing pin in the 30-year model rifle, the size of the bolt that fixes the firing pin has been enlarged. Moreover, the shape of the pull handle head has been changed from circular to oval (similar to the design of the 38-year model rifle).
The 35-year model naval rifle also uses 6.5mm sabre-type rifle cartridges, but the navy refers to them as the 35-year naval rifle cartridges.
In 1945, Japan was on the verge of defeat. To replenish the severely lacking weapons and prepare for the decisive battle on the home front, these old guns that had been in service for over forty years were brought out again for refurbishment. They were used as emergency rifles, with the caliber changed to 7.7mm to be compatible with the 99-type rifle cartridge or the naval 7.7mm rifle cartridge. The US forces captured some modified Type 35 Navy rifles during the Okinawa Island campaign and referred to them as the 02/45 type rifles.
Service period: 1897 - 1945
Caliber: 6.5mm
Barrel length: 797mm
Overall length: 1275mm
Weight: 3.95 kg
Loading: 5 rounds
Bullet muzzle velocity: 765 m/sec
Range with sight: 2400m
Maximum range: 3700m
Do you hope to see this kind of weapon being used on our battlefield? Give Japan more options.
- Yes
- No