Type 2 rifle grenade launcher
The Type 2 rifle grenade launcher was an attachment for the Japanese Type 38 and Type 99 rifles that allowed them to fire special hollow charge grenades. It was a version of the German Schiessbecher grenade launcher. Two grenades were produced for the launcher: a 30 mm calibre grenade and a larger 40 mm calibre grenade, both designated Type 2. The launcher sits over the end of the barrel, held in place with a clamping device. A special crimped blank cartridge or wooden bullet is used to fire the grenades.
The rear of the grenades is pre-rifled to mate with the rifling in the launcher. The rifling ensures that the grenade is spun in flight, giving it stability and arming the rotational fuze. Both grenades use a largely identical fuze, which makes up the rear part of the grenade. On impact, momentum carries the striker assembly forward, overcoming the resistant force of a creep spring into the detonator.
30 mm grenade | 40 mm grenade | |
---|---|---|
Length | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 180 mm (7.1 in) |
Length of upper body | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
Diameter of upper body | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
Length of lower body | 74 mm (2.9 in) | |
Weight | 230 g (8.1 oz) | 370 g (13 oz) |
Explosive content | 50 g (1.8 oz) | 100 g (3.5 oz) |
Explosive type | 50% TNT / 50% RDX | |
Armor penetration | 30mm [1] | 50mm [1] |
References
- ^ a b "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2018-01-10. Retrieved 2018-01-10.
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: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- TM-E 30–480, Handbook on Japanese Military Forces. United States War Department.
See also
- v
- t
- e
- Type 26 revolver
- Type 14 (Nambu)
- North China Type 19
- Sugiura Type
- Type 94 pistol
- Hamada Type 1, Type 2 pistols
- Experimental Model 1
- Experimental Model 2
- Type 100
- Type Be
- Type Su
- Beretta Model 38
- Experimental Type 4
- Experimental Type 5