Rifle Grenade Launchers

There are three distinct types of grenade launchers in use by the Japanese. They are known as the Type 2 or cup type, the Type 100 or Kiska type, and the spigot type.

The Type 2, which is patterned after the German grenade launcher of the same type, fits over the front sight of the rifle and has a short rifled barrel. It fires both the 30 mm and 40 mm hollow charge rifle grenades. This grenade weighs 12 1/2 ounces, is 8 inches long, has a maximum external diameter of 1 1/2 inches, and contains 3.8 ounces of TNT. The grenade, which is armed during flight by a base detonating, set-back actuated fuze, detonates upon impact with the target. It will penetrate 3 7/8 inches of mild steel plate.

The Type 100 may be used with either the 6.5 mm Type 38 or the 7.7 mm Type 99 rifle. Ordinary ball ammunition is used to launch the grenade from the rifle (the expanding gas from the fired cartridge is utilized to expel the grenade from the launcher), a feature which enables the rifle to be carried with the launcher attached and ready for use as either a rifle or as a grenade launcher. The Type 99 smooth bodied grenade known as the Kiska grenade is the only type used with the launcher. Ranges up to 100 yards may be obtained.

The spigot type launcher, which may be used with either the Type 38 or Type 99 rifle, fires the Type 91, Type 3 H.E., and several types of smoke and incendiary grenades. It consists of a rifled barrel threaded to an adapter. The launcher is attached to the rifle at the rear of the front sight mount by two locking arms on the adapter. When a bayonet is fixed to the rifle, additional stability is obtained by the use of a two-pronged lug on the adapter which fits on the bayonet guard.

Japanese: p. 208.2 (August 1, 1945)