Type 18 Murata

Published on June 13, 2015
Duration: 8:40

The Type 18 Murata, Japan's second domestic military rifle, was produced in 1885 (Meiji 18th year) with tooling assistance from Winchester. It features a unique cock-on-opening bolt action powered by a V-spring, a departure from common coil springs. Chambered in 11x60mm rimmed Murata, it fired a heavy projectile at 1500 fps, typical for mid-1880s black powder military cartridges. Markings, including a defaced Imperial Chrysanthemum, indicate its service history and eventual removal from official Imperial use.

Quick Summary

The Type 18 Murata, Japan's second military rifle (1885), features a unique cock-on-opening bolt action powered by a V-spring. Chambered in 11x60mm rimmed Murata, it fired a 416-grain projectile at 1500 fps. Winchester provided tooling, and defaced Imperial markings suggest its removal from official service.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Type 18 Murata & Historical Context
  2. 02:08Mechanical Operation: V-Spring Bolt Action
  3. 03:26Receiver Markings: Meiji Era & Imperial Chrysanthemum
  4. 05:18Sights and Bayonet Lug Features
  5. 06:14Bolt Disassembly and Fragile Extractor
  6. 07:23Caliber and Ballistics: 11x60mm Murata

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Type 18 Murata rifle?

The Type 18 Murata is the second domestic military rifle produced by Japan, introduced in 1885 (Meiji 18th year). It was a single-shot, bolt-action firearm developed with tooling and engineering assistance from the Winchester company.

What is unique about the Type 18 Murata's bolt mechanism?

The Type 18 Murata features a unique bolt action that cocks on opening and uses a large V-spring inside the bolt to power the firing pin, differing from the more common coil springs found in many contemporary rifles.

What caliber is the Type 18 Murata rifle?

The Type 18 Murata rifle is chambered in 11x60mm rimmed Murata. It fired a 416-grain projectile at approximately 1500 feet per second, typical for military black powder cartridges of its era.

What do the markings on a Type 18 Murata indicate?

Markings like 'Meiji 18th Year' denote its production date. A defaced Imperial Chrysanthemum signifies the rifle was removed from official Imperial service, often indicating it was sold as surplus or used for training purposes.

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