The Sugiura pistol (杉浦式自動拳銃, Sugiura-shiki Jidō Kenjū) is a Japanese pistol.
History[]
The Sugiura pistol was designed and manufactured by the Japanese (or under their supervision) in Manchuria to help increase weapons production for the Chinese Expeditionary Force[1]; the weapon was also produced to arm officers in Japan. Production started in 1945 at the Sugiura Firearms Manufacturing Plant and in Manchuria, with production most likely continuing after World War II by Manchurian factories. In total, about 6,000 pistols were produced.[2]
The pistol was not exported at all outside of China or Manchuria, although American soldiers apparently took some back home to the United States as war trophies. Most, if not all surviving Sugiuras are now museum pieces or are in the hands of private collectors.
Design Details[]
The Sugiura is almost an exact mechanical copy of the Colt M1903. The weapon was produced in both .25 ACP and .32 ACP; the weapon was never designed for 8×22mm Nambu due to the commonality of .32 ACP rounds in Manchuria where the pistols were manufactured and used.[2]
References[]
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