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Post by mgk1951 on Jun 21, 2009 18:27:07 GMT 8
Hi Everyone I had know for a long time that the Japanese 6.5mm Type 38 Rifle was issued to the British Army during World War I. A large quantity of these rifles were purchase from Japan because of the shortages of rifles in Britain. These rifles were used for training, which meant the standard Short Magazine Lee Enfield Rifle was preserved for front line use. Photos of the Type 38 in use by the British Army are uncommon. Sorting through family photos recently, I found one of a group of recruits in the London Regiment photographed with Type 38 Rifles. The photograph (below) show 6 new recruits with their Sergeant on the left, Bugler on the right and their Lance/Corporal second from the right. 8 of those photographed hold the Type 38 Rifle with Hooked Quillon Bayonets attached. The 6 recruits look fairly new to the Army. The NCOs and Bugler look more professional. The Lance/Corporal was a school teacher and long term Territorial Army. He was later promoted to Sergeant and awarded the Military Medal after rescuing wounded from the Somme battlefield in France in 1916. His name was J W Keen. Anyway, there it is, photographic evidence of the British Army with Rifle, Magazine, 0.256in Pattern 1907 also known as the Japanese 6.5mm Type 38 Rifle. Regards mgk
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Post by one50 on Jun 22, 2009 4:45:33 GMT 8
Great photo. Thanks so much for sharing this. I have known of this for a long time too, just have never seen a photo. Nice piece of history.
England received about 500,000 Japanese fire arms including the Type-30 Rifle, Type-38 Rifle and Type-38 Carbine. They were formally adopted for British service on February 24th 1915.
Then of the 500,000 imported to England, Russia purchased 128,000 of them. England then declared them obsolete in October 25th 1921. Their whereabouts still open to debate.
Thanks again for sharing mgk1951.
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Post by batteryboy on Jun 24, 2009 7:01:51 GMT 8
Yup, this great stuff. I have heard about this several years back but your photo now confirms it all. Thanks for sharing!
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Post by The Phantom on Jun 25, 2009 1:15:52 GMT 8
Indeed, enjoyed immensely.
Windows opening from top to bottom? Better air circulation the answer. Ah the British, as Paul would say.
I agree, look like new recruits, given overly tight belts---loose weight as a goal?
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