Historical Breechloading

Smallarms Association

Resource Centre

 

 The Resource Centre provides brief descriptions of smallarms, and references to enable further study. If you are interested in finding more about the H.B.S.A., please follow the links provided.

Murata Type 18 Rifle, Model of 1885

Calibre:

 11 mm x 60 R (Murata)
Barrel length: 32"
Serial no.:
120635
Date:
Country of origin: Japan

In 1875, Maj. Tsuneyoshi Murata of the Japanese Imperial Army was sent to Europe to study firearms design. A world-class shot, he toured arms-making facilities in England and the continent, and designed this rifle on his return. Although originality was claimed for his design, a rapid examination reveals design features from various European rifles.

 The Type 18 rifle is an improved Type 13 rifle. Like the Dutch Beaumont the large bolt handle is hollow and contains a conventional “V” spring which operates the firing-pin. The mounting and assembly of the spring is different from the Beaumont, but the operation is identical. The long bolt handle and guide rib lock forward of the split receiver and act as the rifle’s sole locking lug. The bolt further borrows its operation directly from the Dutch Beaumont, the M1874 Gras and the M1871 Mauser, although the bayonet mounting on the front barrel band is more closely related to the Martini-Henry. The Type 18 was improved by the addition of gas escape ports and gas escape channel (Gras M80 type)  in the receiver and bolt handle.

© H.B.S.A. 2004