Murata rifle

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Murata Rifle

Type 22 Murata Repeating Rifle
Type Bolt Action Service Rifle
Place of origin  Japan
Service history
Used by Empire of Japan
China (Sold, Captured)
Wars First Sino-Japanese War
Boxer Rebellion
Russo-Japanese War
Production history
Produced 1880 - 1905
Variants Type 13
Type 16
Type 18
Type 22
Type 22 Carbine
Civilian
Specifications
Weight 4.09kg
Length 1294mm
Barrel length 840mm
Cartridge 11×60mmR Murata
8×53mmR Murata
Caliber 11mm
8mm
Action Bolt Action
Muzzle velocity 435m/s
Feed system Single-Shot
(Type 13, Type 16, Type 18, and Civilian Models)
8, 5-Round Tube Magazine
(Type 22, Type 22 Carbine)

The Murata Rifle was the first indigenously produced Japanese service rifle adopted in 1880 as the Meiji Type 13 Murata Single-Shot Rifle.[1] The 13 referred to the adoption date, the Year 13 in the Meiji period according to the Japanese calendar.

The development of the weapon was lengthy as it involved the establishment of an adequate industrial structure to support it.[2] Before producing local weapons, Japan had been relying on various imports since the time of the Boshin War, and especially on the French Chassepot after the Satsuma Rebellion.[2] This was about 300 years after Japan developed its first guns, derived from Portuguese designs, the Tanegashimas or "Nanban guns".

The design of the Murata was an adaptation of the French Gras rifle, and the German Mauser rifle. The Murata was later upgraded in several variants, some of which were used well into the Russo-Japanese War.

Three models of bayonets were produced for the rifles: Type 13 and Type 18 which were used with the single-shot variants and Type 22 which were compatible with the repeater variants.

It was replaced by the Arisaka series of rifles in 1898, which also used the more modern smokeless powder.

Variants

  • Type 13 (1880) Preliminary model (11×60mmR). Bolt action, single-shot.
  • Type 16 (1883) Carbine (11×60mmR). Derived from Type 13, structurally identical.
  • Type 18 (1885) Final version (11×60mmR). Improved internal mechanisms and ergonomics.[3]
  • Type 22 (1889) Smaller caliber repeater (8×53mmR). Tube magazine, capacity of eight rounds.[3]
  • Type 22 Carbine (1889) Carbine variant of original Type 22 (8×53mmR). Tube magazine holds five rounds.
  • Civilian Models (Various) Usually retired Type 13s and Type 18s. Were commonly converted to bolt action shotguns via omission of bayonet lugs and rifling.

See also

Preceded by
Imported Rifles		 Imperial Japanese Army Service Rifle
1880-1905 		Succeeded by
Arisaka

References

  1. ↑ "Japanese MURATA Type 13 (M.1880)". MilitaryRifles.com. 2008-08-28. Retrieved 2009-07-19. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Rifles of the World John Walter, p.88
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Rifles David Westwood, p.370

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