Around the end of World War I the Japanese Military saw the need for a light machine gun. By 1922 they had perfected and adopted a gun. This gun would remain in service with them until the end of World War II. This first Japanese light machine carried its name stamped across the top of the receiver. The characters translate as ’11th year model’. The ‘11’ refers to the year 1922. It honors the reign of Taisho, Emperor Yoshihito of Japan. Emperor Yoshihito served as the 123rd Emperor and reigned until 1926. These stampings date the gun’s adoption to the 11th year of his reign. Emperor Yoshihito served as the immediate predecessor to Emperor Hirohito.
The Specifics
The Jap 11 served as an incredibly well made and well thought out gun. Its solid feel and beautiful workmanship belie its weight of 22 and 1/2 pounds. The Japanese chose the 6.5 (0.256 inch) cartridge to conform the gun to their already extant Arisaka rifle cartridge. Unlike its successor, the Jap 96, the Jap 11 takes the standard 6.5 rifle round. The ‘11’ boasts a muzzle velocity of 2,440 feet per second. Its sight gradates from 300 to 1500 meters with no windage adjustment. The Jap 11 pounds out 500 rounds per minute in full auto only fire. All parts of the gun show excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail. The Japaneses even made some heavy tripods for these guns.
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