| Weapons |
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| Like most infantrymen during WWII, The Japanese soldier carried a bolt action rifle. Originally designed in 1905, the mauser-type weapon issued to the IJA trooper during this period, was designated the Type 38 and chambered a 6.5mm cartrgidge. Battlefield experience indicated a more powerful cartridge was required, and thus the Type-99 was developed. Like the T-38, the T-99 was first issued in a "long rifle" configuration, but was soon shortened to a more managable length, similar to the German K-98k or the US M-1 Garand. It used the potent 7.7mm cartridge As wartime shortages became more acute, design modifications both simplified and cheapened the rifle The decline is illustrated in the three photos above. The "last ditch" or substitue T-99 had a wooden butt plate and fixed rear sights, and eliminated the cleaning rod altogether. For re-enacting purposes, the general consensus is for the early T-99, with front sight protectors, adjustable rear sights, and dust cover. Alternatively, the last ditch model can be used, and the really budget-minded re-enactor might opt for a Turkish Mauser, which are both plentiful and cheap, although their use is not really encouraged. |