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Experimental Model 2 submachine gun
Experimental Model 2 submachine gun
Experimental Model 2 submachine gun
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The Experimental Model 2 submachine gun (試製二型機関短銃, Shisei-ni-gata kikan-tanjū) was a pre–World War II Japanese experimental submachine gun chambered in the 8mm Nambu round.

Key Information

A reverse-engineered copy of the Type 2, chambered in .45 ACP and known as the Mukden Type 2, was produced and used in limited numbers by Communist Chinese forces during the Chinese Civil War and the Korean War.

History

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The Type 2 model was a development from the earlier Type 1 submachine gun, designed in response to criticisms of the former’s awkward ergonomics. The new model offered a more conventional magazine feed and stock, but wholly retained the Type 1's method of operation and was essentially the same gun in a different body. It was initially produced in the mid-1930s, tested by the Imperial Japanese Army, but got rejected.

During World War II, an urgent demand for automatic infantry weapons saw the revival of several experimental weapon projects, including the Type 2 submachine gun. Blueprints of the weapon were sent to the Mukden Arsenal in Manchukuo in 1944 for use in development of cheap submachine guns. However, those blueprints were used by the Chinese communists to produce submachine guns that were later used in the Chinese Civil War which followed the end of the war with Japan and communist control over Mukden. These weapons were operationally identical but chambered in .45 ACP rather than 8×22mm Nambu.[1]

The British and US armies studied examples of the earlier Japanese prototypes obtained in Singapore and Japan after the surrender of Japan in the war.[4] There is at least one surviving example of the Type 2 at the Army Ordnance Museum, previously located at the Aberdeen Proving Ground.[5]

Design details

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The Type 2 was a blowback-operated submachine gun that fired from an open bolt. Much like the Type 1, the Type 2's return spring enveloped the barrel of the gun rather than behind the bolt. The front section of the receiver and barrel shroud would travel forward with the bolt upon firing and be pushed back by the return spring. The barrel stayed stationary. The cocking handle was not located in a slotted groove but instead took the form of a protruding tab fixed to the left side of the receiver.

Early pre-war prototypes of the Type 2 were built with the same pneumatic buffer device seen on the Type 1, which cushioned the action of the gun and acted as a bolt delay. The timing of the delay could be adjusted by changing the air pressure exerted by the buffer, thus lowering or increasing the fire rate to either 500 or 600 rounds per minute, but the examples captured after the war had five buffer holes as settings.[6] This was done by turning a pressure valve located underneath the rear cap. The later wartime models omitted the air buffer feature in an attempt to cut production costs. The Type 2 was typically issued with 30-round magazines, although it could also use the same 50-round magazines just like the Type 1.[7]

Late-war examples of the Type 2 had bayonet fittings, a feature not present on the original production models. A spike bayonet was also designed for the gun but was not used on the production models. The finish of the late-war models was typically poor compared to the earlier pre-war prototypes.

1934 Model 2A

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Version chambered in the more powerful Type 95 6.5x30mm cartridge, it weighed 7-7,5 grams and generated muzzle velocities between 550-600 m/s resulting in muzzle energy between 1058.75-1350 J.[8][9]

1942 Model 2A

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Version chambered in 8×22mm Nambu.[10][11]

Mukden Type 2

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A Mukden Type 2 in the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution

A variant developed by Chinese communist forces using blueprints originally sent to the Mukden Arsenal in Manchukuo in 1944. Adapted to chamber .45 ACP instead of 8×22mm Nambu and used in the Chinese Civil War. The Mukden Type 2 was also used in limited numbers by the Chinese People's Volunteer Army during the Korean War, several examples were captured by American forces.[2] It is sometimes referred to generically as the Chinese .45 (11.43 mm) submachine gun.[2]

Mechanically, the Mukden Type 2 was based on the Japanese Model 2A. It shares several unconventional design elements, the bolt is enclosed and pinned to a barrel jacket that extends from the receiver, which made the bolt and barrel jacket function as a single moving unit that reoiled together with the receiver frame, a configuration that increases the bolt weight, which is necessary for the safe operation of a straight blowback system.[2] The receiver frame also houses a buffer assembly that consisted of a plunger, heavy coil spring and retaining cap.[2] This entire assembly is cocked using a bolt handle on top of the barrel jacket.[2] There were also several superficial design differences to the Model 2A, such as a different stock, foreend, and bolt handle design. It had an inverted "V" blade front sight and a fixed rear aperture sight. It had a fire rate of 500 rounds per minute and generated a muzzle velocity of approximately 920 ft/s.[2]

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Experimental Model 2 submachine gun

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Experimental Model 2 was a developed in 1934 by firearms designer Kijiro Nambu for the as part of early efforts to create a domestic ahead of . Chambered for the pistol cartridge, it operated on a simple blowback system and featured a lightweight construction suited to the cartridge's mild recoil, marking it as an influential precursor to the later that entered limited production. Despite its innovative elements, the Model 2 remained strictly experimental, with only a small number of prototypes built and no evidence of combat deployment. Key design aspects included a 9.5-inch barrel, an overall length of 26 inches, and an unloaded weight of 6.25 pounds, emphasizing portability for use. It fed from detachable box magazines holding 30 rounds standard (or 50 rounds in early configurations) and incorporated an adjustable buffer mechanism with selectable valve holes to regulate the cyclic between 500 and 600 rounds per minute, allowing for controlled bursts. In 1942, a variant was adapted for vehicle mounting, featuring a nosecap lug and receiver attachment plate, though this too failed to progress beyond testing. A captured example was examined and reported by British forces in February 1946.

History

Pre-War Development

The Experimental Model 2 submachine gun emerged as an evolution from the earlier Type 1 submachine gun, which, despite its innovative blowback mechanism, faced significant criticism for its awkward ergonomics and poor handling in close-quarters combat. Designers sought to address these shortcomings by refining the grip configuration and overall balance, aiming for a more practical weapon suitable for use. This iterative approach reflected early Japanese efforts to adapt concepts observed in foreign designs, such as the Thompson and MP18, to domestic capabilities. The weapon was primarily designed by Shikanosuke Tokunaga in 1935, with patents held and production overseen by the Nambu Arms Manufacturing Company under Kijiro Nambu. Tokunaga's contributions focused on simplifying the mechanical layout while retaining core elements from the Type 1, such as the open-bolt firing system. Nambu's role as manufacturer ensured compatibility with existing production lines for pistol cartridges and components, facilitating . This collaboration marked a key phase in Japan's domestic arms innovation during the . Initially chambered for the cartridge, the Experimental Model 2 incorporated an adjustable pneumatic buffer to regulate the cyclic between 500 and 600 rounds per minute, allowing testers to optimize performance for different tactical scenarios. This feature was a direct response to concerns over in earlier prototypes, enabling finer tuning of management without altering the basic blowback operation. Early testing emphasized reliability with the underpowered Nambu round, which prioritized lightweight construction over . Approximately 10 experimental units were produced for evaluation by the , providing hands-on data for potential adoption. These prototypes underwent field trials to assess improvements in maneuverability and firing accuracy compared to the Type 1. The limited production scale underscored the experimental nature of the project, focused on gathering insights rather than mass issuance. This development occurred amid the Japanese military's growing interest in submachine guns, driven by preparations for urban and close-combat engagements anticipated in the escalating tensions leading to the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937. Although overall adoption of SMGs remained limited due to doctrinal preferences for rifles and machine guns, the Experimental Model 2 represented a proactive step toward modernizing armament in response to observed needs in colonial conflicts.

Military Evaluation and Rejection

Prototypes of the Experimental Model 2 submachine gun underwent evaluation by the (IJA) beginning in 1935, following its development as an improvement over the earlier Type 1 design. The weapon featured a blowback operating mechanism and ergonomic enhancements, such as a more conventional stock and , aimed at addressing shortcomings in the predecessor. During testing, the IJA identified several inadequacies, including concerns over reliability. Additionally, the design's complexity made it less appealing for mass manufacture compared to established bolt-action . These factors, combined with the IJA's doctrinal emphasis on disciplined rifle fire and light machine guns for engagements rather than close-quarters automatic weapons, rendered the Model 2 non-essential. The weapon was formally rejected in the late 1930s, with no further development pursued at the time. Although evaluated alongside foreign examples like the , which demonstrated superior but were not integrated into Japanese production, the Model 2 was deemed unsuitable for adoption. Although largely shelved by the IJA, limited numbers were used by units in occupied during the Second Sino-Japanese War and on frontlines from 1942.

Wartime Revival

Amid the Imperial Japanese Army's acute shortages of automatic weapons during , blueprints for the Experimental Model 2 submachine gun were revived between 1942 and 1944 as a potential alternative to the limited-production Type 100. These designs were forwarded to the Mukden Arsenal in 1944 for evaluation and possible low-cost manufacturing to supplement frontline needs. The 1942 Model 2A variant reflected wartime adaptations, with simplified construction to cope with resource limitations; later iterations omitted the pneumatic bolt buffer to streamline production, while some examples incorporated fittings for mounting or attachment. Production remained extremely limited, estimated at 50 to 100 units overall, with limited issuance to front-line units starting in 1942. Following Japan's surrender, captured prototypes underwent analysis by British and U.S. forces in 1945–1946; British reports praised the design's compact potential for close-quarters use but criticized manufacturing inconsistencies and ergonomic issues that hindered reliability.

Post-War Adaptations

Following Japan's defeat in 1945, blueprints for the Experimental Model 2 submachine gun, originally sent to the Mukden Arsenal in Manchukuo in 1944 for potential low-cost production, were utilized by Chinese communist forces who seized the facility at the war's end. This led to the adaptation and manufacturing of the design during the Chinese Civil War from 1945 to 1949, as the communists sought to bolster their arsenal amid ongoing hostilities. At the Mukden Arsenal, the weapon was redesignated the Mukden Type 2 and modified to chamber the cartridge, enabling compatibility with abundant captured American ammunition supplies that were otherwise unusable with the original 8mm Nambu round. These adaptations allowed for straightforward reverse-engineering and local production using existing industrial capabilities inherited from Japanese occupation. The Mukden Type 2 was employed by the primarily in operations throughout the and the (1950–1953), providing close-quarters firepower in asymmetric engagements against Nationalist forces and UN troops. Production occurred on a limited scale, estimated at a few hundred units, constrained by the chaos of the conflict, resource shortages, and the need to prioritize other armaments; exact output figures remain undocumented and estimates vary widely. The design's legacy extended to influencing early Chinese small arms development, serving as a model for inexpensive, blowback-operated submachine guns amid the push for self-sufficiency in weaponry. However, it saw no further international adoptions or exports, remaining confined to domestic use. Gaps persist in historical records, including precise production numbers and detailed assessments of its combat effectiveness in PLA operations.

Design Details

Operating Mechanism

The Experimental Model 2 submachine gun utilizes a simple blowback operating mechanism, firing exclusively from an to ensure reliable cycling with the cartridge. The bolt is unlocked during firing, relying on the cartridge case's rearward force to initiate , with the return spring positioned around the barrel to absorb and return the bolt forward efficiently. This design prioritized lightweight construction and simplicity, though it required careful tuning to manage the relatively low-powered pistol round's impulse. In standard configuration, the weapon achieves a cyclic of 600 rounds per minute, contributing to its controllability in short bursts despite the full-automatic-only operation. Early pre-war prototypes incorporated an innovative adjustable pneumatic buffer , featuring a compressed-air with selectable orifices to fine-tune bolt and reduce the rate to between 500 and 600 rounds per minute as needed for different tactical scenarios. The feed system employs 30- or 50-round detachable magazines loaded horizontally from the left side of the receiver, allowing for quick reloads without exposing the operator excessively. Sighting is provided by fixed front and an adjustable rear leaf sight graduated for ranges up to 200 meters, emphasizing close-quarters effectiveness over long-range precision. Overall, the measures 660 mm in , with a 241 mm barrel optimized for around 300 m/s. It weighs 2.83 kg when empty, balancing portability for infantry use. Safety is handled by a manual lever located on the receiver, which locks the bolt to prevent accidental discharge; the lacks selective fire, committing fully to automatic mode for roles.

Ergonomics and Accessories

The Experimental Model 2 submachine gun utilized a wooden fixed integrated with a to enhance stability and control during firing. This combination extended slightly above the receiver, providing a balance between rifle-like support and compact handling. Controls on the weapon included a top-mounted charging handle on the receiver for straightforward manipulation. The trigger employed an open-bolt mechanism with a interlock to mitigate accidental discharges, offering a design that was generally ambidextrous but tailored primarily for right-handed users. An adjustable pneumatic buffer, featuring selectable positions, allowed regulation of the cyclic rate between 500 and 600 rounds per minute. The construction incorporated for the tubular receiver and barrel, paired with wooden elements for the and grip to ensure and user comfort. Pre-war prototypes exhibited a polished blued finish, while wartime iterations shifted to rougher parkerized surfaces for better resistance under resource constraints. Accessories were minimal, with no provisions for suppressors or in standard configuration. In terms of overall handling, the Model 2 demonstrated improved balance relative to earlier designs, weighing 2.83 kg empty and measuring 660 mm in length. Its short barrel aided maneuverability, though the design proved somewhat bulky for close-quarters engagements when compared to the more streamlined Type 100. The blowback system resulted in light recoil and a consistent trigger feel from the 8 mm Nambu cartridge.

Variants

1934 Model 2A

The 1934 Model 2A represented the earliest variant of the Experimental Model 2 submachine gun, developed as a by the Nambu Arms Manufacturing Company to address limitations in prior designs during pre-war infantry trials. Chambered for the experimental 6.5×30mm Type 95 cartridge—a shortened of the 6.5×50mm rifle round, though not adopted in service—this version aimed to balance controllability with firepower through reduced and enhanced magazine capacity. A key feature was the incorporation of a full pneumatic buffer system, adjustable via valve settings to regulate the rate of fire and mitigate recoil impulses, allowing for smoother operation in sustained bursts. This mechanism distinguished the 1934 Model 2A from simpler blowback designs, enabling higher-capacity magazines—up to 50 rounds initially—to support prolonged engagement without excessive muzzle climb. The overall configuration emphasized experimental refinement for close-quarters infantry use, with the buffer contributing to a reported cyclic rate around 500–600 rounds per minute under controlled conditions. Subsequent variants transitioned to the standard 8×22mm Nambu cartridge. Production remained highly limited, confined to a small initial batch assembled between 1934 and 1935 for testing purposes, with no transition to mass manufacturing due to ongoing evaluations. Performance trials highlighted the variant's advantages in recoil management, offering noticeably lower felt impulse than subsequent 8mm adaptations, which facilitated better handling during full-automatic fire. However, it faced rejection primarily for inadequate against anticipated threats, such as padded targets at extended ranges up to 200 meters, failing to meet the Imperial Japanese Army's tactical requirements despite its innovative buffering.

1942 Model 2A

The 1942 Model 2A represented a wartime revival of the Experimental Model 2 submachine gun design, prompted by shortages and the need for simplified production amid escalating Pacific theater demands. This variant chambered the standard cartridge, ensuring compatibility with existing pistol supplies for logistical ease. Key modifications included adaptations for vehicle mounting, such as a nosecap lug and receiver attachment plate, while retaining the adjustable pneumatic buffer system. These changes reflected wartime priorities for crew-served applications. Production was limited, with an estimated 50–150 units overall for the Model 2 series, including trials versions; blueprints were sent to the Mukden Arsenal in 1944 for potential further development. Performance characteristics were retained from earlier prototypes, with a cyclic rate of approximately 600 rounds per minute.

Mukden Type 2

The Mukden Type 2 represented a Chinese adaptation of the Japanese Experimental Model 2 design, modified for domestic manufacturing constraints and the availability of imported during the . Chambered in (11.5mm), it was specifically reconfigured to utilize surplus U.S. , diverging from the original 8mm Nambu cartridge to leverage readily accessible supplies. To facilitate easier production in resource-limited conditions, the Mukden Type 2 featured a redesigned and foreend, simplifying processes, along with a relocated bolt handle for improved handling. The shift to the heavier round also increased the overall weight to approximately 4 kg, enhancing stability during firing but adding to the weapon's bulk. These changes maintained the core blowback operating mechanism while prioritizing manufacturability at the Mukden Arsenal. Post-1945 production at the Mukden Arsenal focused on equipping communist forces, with the adopted by the for . Output was constrained by the arsenal's partial during Soviet occupation in 1945 and subsequent Nationalist control until 1948, resulting in limited numbers—estimated at a few hundred units, though exact figures remain undocumented. Performance characteristics mirrored the original design's simplicity, with the blowback action recalibrated for ballistics, achieving a of approximately 250–300 m/s from its 200mm barrel. This configuration proved suitable for close-range engagements in guerrilla operations, providing reliable in urban and forested environments typical of the Civil War, though its crude construction limited long-term durability.
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