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The Type 30 Arisaka (三十年式歩兵銃 Sanjū-nen-shiki hoheijū, lit. "30th year infantry rifle") was a Japanese bolt-action rifle designed by Baron Nariakira Arisaka in 1897 and produced by the Tokyo Arsenal from 1897 to 1905. The first iteration of the Arisaka rifle, the Type 30 acted as the Japanese service rifle from 1897 to 1905.

History[]

Designed from 1895 by Col. Nariakira Arisaka (who later was appointed Baron) who led a commission to design a rifle to replace old and outdated rifles,[1] the rifle was designed as a replacement to the old and expensive Type 22 rifle and entered service the same year. The rifle was designated "Type 30" as it entered service in the 30th year of Emperor Meiji's reign, 1897.

The weapon was produced from 1897 to 1905[2] by the Tokyo Arsenal[3] and was later replaced by the Type 38 rifle in service. During its production, the Type 30 was used by a number of nations, including Japan and Russia, and more interestingly the United Kingdom (who ordered some Type 30s as a stopgap until their Lee-Enfield caught up with demand).[4]

Design Details[]

The Type 30 is a bolt-action rifle with a five-round internal box magazine fed by stripper clips. The rifles could fit a bayonet.

Ammunition[]

The Type 30 used 6.5×50mmSR Arisaka ammunition, although some were chambered in .303 British[4] and 6.5×54mm Mannlicher–Schönauer.[5]

Variants[]

Rifle and carbine versions of the Type 30 exist, along with a number of other related variants.

Type 35

An improved version of the Type 30 that attempted to fix any faults on the previous design. 38,200 were produced.

References[]

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