The Type Hei (Japanese: 試製自動小銃丙, Shisei jidō shōjū hei, lit. Experimental Automatic Rifle Hei) was a Japanese self-loading rifle that was produced in limited numbers by Nippon Special Steel.[1]
The Type Hei rifle was one of three self-loading rifle designs commissioned by the Imperial Japanese Army for military trials. It was designed by Dr. Masaya Kawamura and produced at the Nippon Special Steel company. The first prototypes were constructed in 1932 and it is estimated that around 50 models were made. The trials took place in 1935. The Type Hei Rifle was tested alongside the Type Kō Rifle and the Type Otsu Rifle,[2] however none of the rifles tested were considered suitable for service. On top of that the projected costs were too high to justify a full production run, so the project was cancelled. The Type Hei was a toggle-action self-loading rifle that derived its action from the Pedersen rifle, modified to utilize a basic gas piston to unlock the bolt.[3]
Designedit
Early prototypes of the Type Hei used a detachable 5-round magazine, whereas later models had an extended 10-round capacity. Both magazines could be reloaded through Arisaka stripper clips or by detaching the magazine. The magazine catch was located in front of the trigger, within the trigger guard. The rear sight was an adjustable aperture and could be graduated from 300 – 1500 meters.
Serviceedit
During World War II, the small numbers of Type Hei rifles that were available were allegedly pressed into service and some were captured by US troops in the Pacific Theater.[1]
Fully automatic prototypeedit
Kawamura also developed a fully-automatic variant of the Type Hei rifle with an extended 20-round magazine and a gun shield. This version was called Experimental Ultra Light Machine Gun (Japanese: 試製超軽機関銃, Shisei Chō Kei Kikanjū). It was chambered in 6.5×50mmSR Arisaka like the regular Type Hei rifle. This variant was tested in 1938, but adoption was rejected due to low reliability and too high rate of fire.[4]
type, rifle, type, japanese, 試製自動小銃丙, shisei, jidō, shōjū, experimental, automatic, rifle, japanese, self, loading, rifle, that, produced, limited, numbers, nippon, special, steel, typesemi, automatic, rifleplace, origin, empire, japanservice, historyused, byj. The Type Hei Japanese 試製自動小銃丙 Shisei jidō shōju hei lit Experimental Automatic Rifle Hei was a Japanese self loading rifle that was produced in limited numbers by Nippon Special Steel 1 Type Hei RifleTypeSemi automatic riflePlace of origin Empire of JapanService historyUsed byJapanWarsSecond Sino Japanese warWorld War IIProduction historyDesignerMasaya KawamuraDesigned1932ManufacturerKokura ArsenalProduced1932 1935No built50SpecificationsMass8 59 lb 3 90 kg Length42 0 in 107 cm Barrel length23 0 in 58 cm Cartridge6 5x50mm ArisakaCaliber6 5mmActionGas operated Toggle lockedSightsAdjustable aperture sight Contents 1 History 2 Design 3 Service 4 Fully automatic prototype 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksHistory editThe Type Hei rifle was one of three self loading rifle designs commissioned by the Imperial Japanese Army for military trials It was designed by Dr Masaya Kawamura and produced at the Nippon Special Steel company The first prototypes were constructed in 1932 and it is estimated that around 50 models were made The trials took place in 1935 The Type Hei Rifle was tested alongside the Type Kō Rifle and the Type Otsu Rifle 2 however none of the rifles tested were considered suitable for service On top of that the projected costs were too high to justify a full production run so the project was cancelled The Type Hei was a toggle action self loading rifle that derived its action from the Pedersen rifle modified to utilize a basic gas piston to unlock the bolt 3 Design editEarly prototypes of the Type Hei used a detachable 5 round magazine whereas later models had an extended 10 round capacity Both magazines could be reloaded through Arisaka stripper clips or by detaching the magazine The magazine catch was located in front of the trigger within the trigger guard The rear sight was an adjustable aperture and could be graduated from 300 1500 meters Service editDuring World War II the small numbers of Type Hei rifles that were available were allegedly pressed into service and some were captured by US troops in the Pacific Theater 1 Fully automatic prototype editKawamura also developed a fully automatic variant of the Type Hei rifle with an extended 20 round magazine and a gun shield This version was called Experimental Ultra Light Machine Gun Japanese 試製超軽機関銃 Shisei Chō Kei Kikanju It was chambered in 6 5 50mmSR Arisaka like the regular Type Hei rifle This variant was tested in 1938 but adoption was rejected due to low reliability and too high rate of fire 4 See also editList of clip fed firearms List of semi automatic riflesReferences edit a b 日本軍自動小銃覚え書き 随時更新 変人日記 Jappederson1 Japanese Pedersen copy www forgottenweapons com 28 October 2010 試製超軽機関銃審査の件 www jacar archives go jp External links editJapanese Army Pedersen Copy Trials Rifle Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Type Hei Rifle amp oldid 1214095591, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
