Harriman, Bill/Dennis, Peter (Illustr.)/Gilliland, Alan (Illustr.) The Arisaka Rifle

Featuring specially commissioned color artwork and drawing upon a range of sources, this engaging study casts new light on origins, combat record, and reputation of the Arisaka bolt-action rifles used by Japanese troops during the world wars. Featuring full-color artwork as well as archive and close-up photographs, this is the absorbing story of the rifles arming Imperial Japan's forces, from the trenches of Mudken in 1905 to the beaches of Okinawa 40 years later. Entering service in 1897, the Arisaka family of bolt-action rifles armed Japanese troops and others through two world wars and many other conflicts, including the Russo-Japanese War of 1904?05. Issued in long and short versions ? the latter for cavalry and specialists ? the Type 30 was the first main Arisaka model, arming Imperial Japan's forces during the Russo-Japanese War, though after the war it was refined into the Type 38, which would still be in use in 1945. The main Arisaka rifle of World War II though was the Type 99. Lighter and more rugged than the US M1903 Springfield rifle it would face in the initial battles in the Pacific, it was produced in four main variants, including a sniping model and a take-down parachutist's rifle.

Commissioned in 1897, the Arisaka rifle family armed Japanese troops and armed forces of other countries through two world wars and many other conflicts, including the Russo-Japanese War of 1904/5. Available in long and short versions - the latter for cavalry and specialists - the Type 30 was developed as the first main Arisaka model and armed Japan's imperial forces during the Russo-Japanese War. Further developed into the Type 38 after this war, this rifle remained in service with the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces until the end of the Second World War. Arisaka's main rifle during World War II, however, was the Type 99. Lighter and more robust than the American Springfield M1903 rifle it faced in the early battles in the Pacific, it was produced in four main variants, including a model for snipers and one for paratroopers.