Type 97 Sniper Rifle
Encyclopedia
is a Japan
ese bolt-action
rifle, based on the Type 38 Rifle
. Following the standard practice of the time, it was adapted from an existing infantry rifle. The only difference between this rifle and the original Type 38 is that it had a lightened stock, a single-action hammer, a 2.5 power telescopic sight and a mid-band setup for a monopod, although later models has this deleted. The rifle entered service in 1937. When fired, the mild 6.5x50mm Arisaka cartridge gave off little flash
or smoke and made counter-sniper activity difficult. The lack of flash and smoke comes from the length of the barrel; a 600 mm (23.5 inch) long barrel may allow cartridge propellant to fully burn and attain the optimum combination of accuracy and bullet velocity. The scope was offset to the left, to allow stripper clip loading. Like other Mauser pattern rifles, it has a five round box magazine. The rifle can be loaded with either a 5 round stripper clip, or single rounds.
The Type 97 was manufactured at the Nagoya Arsenal
and Kokura Arsenal, with the bulk of them made in Nagoya.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese bolt-action
Bolt-action
Bolt action is a type of firearm action in which the weapon's bolt is operated manually by the opening and closing of the breech with a small handle, most commonly placed on the right-hand side of the weapon...
rifle, based on the Type 38 Rifle
Type 38 rifle
The is a bolt-action rifle. For a time it was the standard rifle of the Japanese infantry. It was known also as the Type 38 Year Meiji Carbine in Japan. An earlier, similar weapon was the Type 30 Year Meiji Rifle, which was also used alongside it. Both of these weapons were also known as the...
. Following the standard practice of the time, it was adapted from an existing infantry rifle. The only difference between this rifle and the original Type 38 is that it had a lightened stock, a single-action hammer, a 2.5 power telescopic sight and a mid-band setup for a monopod, although later models has this deleted. The rifle entered service in 1937. When fired, the mild 6.5x50mm Arisaka cartridge gave off little flash
Muzzle flash
Muzzle blast is the term used to describe the release of high temperature, high pressure gases expelled from the muzzle of a firearm when it is discharged. Muzzle flash is the term used to describe the visible light of the muzzle blast. The blast and flash are caused by the combustion products of...
or smoke and made counter-sniper activity difficult. The lack of flash and smoke comes from the length of the barrel; a 600 mm (23.5 inch) long barrel may allow cartridge propellant to fully burn and attain the optimum combination of accuracy and bullet velocity. The scope was offset to the left, to allow stripper clip loading. Like other Mauser pattern rifles, it has a five round box magazine. The rifle can be loaded with either a 5 round stripper clip, or single rounds.
The Type 97 was manufactured at the Nagoya Arsenal
Nagoya Arsenal
Nagoya Arsenal was a collection of five major military facilities located in and around Nagoya, Japan. It produced various Japanese army and air war equipment during World War II including the Arisaka Type 99 rifle...
and Kokura Arsenal, with the bulk of them made in Nagoya.