This arrangement did away with the meddlesome Hopper feed system of the Type 11 and made the Type 96 more inherently reliable within the rigors of combat. Intended to replace the Type 11 Light Machine Gun, the Type 96 was an improved form but still completed with several inherent design limitations that were still prevelant in the Type 11 before it. Unlike the Bren gun, however, the Type 96 was equipped with a mount for the standard Japanese rifle bayonet.The Type 96 Light Machine Gun (???????
The Type 96 Light Machine Gun served with the Imperial Japanese Army from 1936 to the end of World War 2 in 1945. In practice, it is suspect as to the usefulness of such a design quality when considering the weapon's 20lb weight, 41.5 inch length and relatively small stature of the average Imperial Japanese Army soldier.China; Imperial Japan; Indonesia; North Korea; Taiwan; United States
For all intents and purposes, the Type 96 model machine gun varied little when compared to the Type 11 it was meant to replace. However, it is ultimately the responsibility of the buyer to be in compliance of laws that govern their specific location.
Features of this gun include multiple matched serial numbers, 90% original blueing, a live excellent condition 6.5x50mm barrel, genuine incredibly rare long range optical sight, bayonet style muzzle cover with inspection door, Type 99 monopod with butt stock, adjustable bipod, and internal parts that can be used to support a registered full auto or semi-conversion (if there are any). Design-Type 96 Light Machine Gun was almost identical in construction to the Type 11 in that it was an air-cooled, gas-operated design based on the French Hotchkiss M1909 machine gun. It was first introduced in 1936, and fires the 6.5x50mm Arisaka from 30-round top-mounted magazines. The only part that is not original to the gun is the magazine but were able to find a newly made resin magazine which completes the look.The Type 96 and later Type 99 were probably the most successful Japanese Army machine gun of the Second World War. 26 and similar British Bren).
IMA considers all antique guns offered on our website as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. This feature and its inherent faults was dropped with the introduction of the Type 99 light machinegun.The Type 96 came into active service in 1936 and was intended to replace the older Type 11; however the Type 11 had already been produced in large quantities, and both weapons remained in service until the end of the war.
The reciever contained all of the major working internal components of the machine gun to which were attached the pistol grip with trigger system and a wooden buttstock.