Hamada Type pistol

Hamada Type pistol
Type	Semi-automatic pistol
Place of origin	Empire of Japan
Service history
Used by	Empire of Japan
Wars	Russo-Japanese War, Second Sino-Japanese War, World War II
Production history
Designer	Bunji Hamada[1]
Designed	1941[2]
Manufacturer	Japan Firearms Manufacturing Co.[2]
Produced	1941–1944[3]
Number built	c.4500–5000[3]
Specifications
Weight	650 g (1 lb 7oz)[2]
Length	165 mm (6.50 in)[2]
Barrel length	90 mm (3.55 in)[2]
Height	121mm (4.76 in)[3]
Cartridge	7.65mm Browning,[2] 8×22mm Nambu[4]
Caliber	7.65 mm[3]
Action	recoil operated, locked breech[3]
Muzzle velocity	300 m/s (984 ft/s)[2]
Feed system	9–round detachable box magazine[2]
Sights	Blade, V-notch

The Hamada Type or Hamada Type Automatic handgun (浜田志木, Hamada shiki) was a semi-automatic pistol developed in 1941 for use by the Empire of Japan during World War II. Developed by Bunji Hamada, the pistol took its basic design from the Model 1910 Browning. Production occurred at the Japanese Firearms Manufacturing Company, with only minor a changes made to the as the war progressed.

Eight production design periods occurred during the production of the pistol with all changes being made during late 1942 and early 1943. Production records were destroyed during World War II with few known Hamada Type pistols in existence today. Production of the Hamada type ended in February 1944.

History

Importation of foreign sidearms ceased in Japan in 1941, increasing the need for domestic production, and fully nationalizing all raw materials available for gun manufacturing.^[1] Unable to continue production of hunting guns, Bunji Hamada founded the The Japanese Gun Manufacturing Company (日本住基株式会社会誌, Nippon Juki Kabushiki Kaishi) and began production of the Hamada type pistol.^[1] The pistol was designed as a copy of the Browning Model 1910 and chambered for the 7.65mm Browning,^[5] as small caliber American and European pistols were popular among Japanese officers.^[1] Around five prototypes for the Hamada pistol were tested by the Chief of the Ordnance Bureau before approval for adoption was made in 1941.^[6] The Hamada pistol does not carry the tradition naming of One Type (壱志木, Ichi Shiki ) for Japanese calendar year 2601 similar as the Type 94 Nambu pistol or Type 26 revolver despite being officially adopted.^[1] The majority of Hamada pistols were sent with the Imperial Japanese Army to China with a few units transferred to the South Pacific.^[3] All production records were destroyed during World War II by bombing raids on Japan.^[3] It is estimated that between 4,500 and 5,000 pistols were manufactured before production ended in February 1944.^[5]

Design

The Hamada pistol is a blockback pistol and functionally a copy of the Browning Model 1910.^[2] The most significant design difference between the Hamada pistol and Browning Model 1910 is the replacement of the interrupter lugs used to hold the barrel of the Browning Model 1910 with a dovetail joint.^[2] The frame plate lock design and striker assembly were also modified and awarded patents in 1943.^[6] The Hamada pistol maintained high quality throughout its production with the bluing done to a high standard.^[7] The safety, rear frame plate, and extractor were heat tempered to a reddish brown and the barrel, striker, and firing mechanism were brightly polished.^[8]

Variations

Eight variations of known Hamada pistols exist with slight differences between them^[1] with all known pistols containing serial numbers between 2,214 and 2,959.^[3] The narrowness of the range may be attributed to the small number of pistol assigned to the Pacific Theater, where U.S. soldiers collected souvenirs.^[3] The number of serration made on the rear slide increased from six to seven between variation one and two, being reduced back to six serrations with variation three.^[7] The grip made of walnut and had a checked pattern with the border design, and lanyard loop being simplified between pistol variation three and four.^[7] The serial on the grip of the pistol was enlarged between varition four and five.^[7] The slide identification markings were discontinued between variation five and six^[7] with the slide muzzle crown being simplified between models six and seven.^[9] The dissassembly arrows stamped on the slide and frame that, when aligned, allowed the slide to be removed were adjusted to indicate a slight change in design.^[9]

Holster

Holsters supplied with the Hamada type pistol were usually made of cowhide leather and contained black metal closure fasteners.^[10] Because the Hamada pistol has a long, nine cartridge magazine, the holster of similar weapons like the Browning Model 1910 will not properly contain the Hamada pistol.^[10]

Notes

References

• Derby, Harry L.; Brown, James D. (2003). Japanese Military Cartridge Handguns 1893–1945. Atglen, Philadelphia: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-1780-6. 
• Hogg, Ian; Weeks, John (2000). Military Small Arms of the 20th Century (7th ed.). Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87341-824-7. 
• Hogg, Ian; Walter, John (2004). Pistols of the World (4th ed.). Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87349-460-1.