The Type 92 was a Japanese machine gun produced by Koishikawa Arsenal.
History[]
The Type 92 was a licensed copy of the Lewis gun, and produced in 1924 on behalf of the Imperial Air Service for use as an aircraft observer gun. Quantities were also issued to the Navy, who used it for anti-aircraft defenses on ships. Production ceased in 1945.
Design[]
The Type 92 was a direct copy of the British Lewis gun, insofar as it retained the .303-calibre chambering. The dimensions of the Japanese 7.7×56mmR cartridge were so similar to that of the British .303 that the Type 92 could be chambered for both.
The main changes to the Type 92 were merely cosmetic, including the enlarged trigger guard and rear spade grip in place of a stock.