Post by woodsy on Sept 2, 2006 10:54:41 GMT 1
Hi guys
I have just obtained a WW2 Japanese magazine loader for the 6.5mm Type 96 LMG, from a vet who brought it back from New Britain (near New Guinea) in 1945. It is complete in its canvas and leather belt pouch and is in very good condition. I have been chasing militaria for about 50 years and it is the first one I have ever seen. It is of the style of the ZB loader but much smaller and made of sheet steel. I have sent some pictures to Kevin to kindly post for me.
Not a great deal has been written about Japanese MG's, and what there is available is contradictory and inaccurate to a greater or lesser extent. For example, Chinn in 'The Machine Gun' vol. 1, he claims that the Types 96 & 99 are ZB copies. He bases this statement on their appearance rather than their system of operation, where they clearly owe more to the Hotchkiss than the ZB. They do not have tilting block locking but a vertically sliding locking piece (as does the Besal). Major Hobart in the 'Pictorial History of the Machine Gun' states that the Type 96 required oiled cartridges to function and that the loader incorporated an oiling device. This claim is not made by any other writers, and I can categorically state that my loader does not have such a facility.
Whist it is true that some very early Japanese MG's did require lubricated ammunition, it is my opinion that this myth may have been created for the WW2 guns as a propoganda effort to promote morale amongst Allied troops, as was simply perpetuated after the war due to a lack of contrary evidence.
I hope you enjoy the photos which compare the Type 96 to other similar loaders.
I have just obtained a WW2 Japanese magazine loader for the 6.5mm Type 96 LMG, from a vet who brought it back from New Britain (near New Guinea) in 1945. It is complete in its canvas and leather belt pouch and is in very good condition. I have been chasing militaria for about 50 years and it is the first one I have ever seen. It is of the style of the ZB loader but much smaller and made of sheet steel. I have sent some pictures to Kevin to kindly post for me.
Not a great deal has been written about Japanese MG's, and what there is available is contradictory and inaccurate to a greater or lesser extent. For example, Chinn in 'The Machine Gun' vol. 1, he claims that the Types 96 & 99 are ZB copies. He bases this statement on their appearance rather than their system of operation, where they clearly owe more to the Hotchkiss than the ZB. They do not have tilting block locking but a vertically sliding locking piece (as does the Besal). Major Hobart in the 'Pictorial History of the Machine Gun' states that the Type 96 required oiled cartridges to function and that the loader incorporated an oiling device. This claim is not made by any other writers, and I can categorically state that my loader does not have such a facility.
Whist it is true that some very early Japanese MG's did require lubricated ammunition, it is my opinion that this myth may have been created for the WW2 guns as a propoganda effort to promote morale amongst Allied troops, as was simply perpetuated after the war due to a lack of contrary evidence.
I hope you enjoy the photos which compare the Type 96 to other similar loaders.
)
