This is a scarce and certainly unique, early Japanese Type 11 light machine gun as adopted in 1922. The top of the receiver has a long section of Kanji markings, followed by the serial number "10519" on the end. The right side is marked with the Nagoya Arsenal symbol followed by the Showa date of 10.6 (1935, June). This weapon was actually a modified French Hotchkiss design that fired a special reduced charged 6.5 mm Japanese cartridge. This same round was also used in the later Type 96 LMG and was intended to have a "lower" signature flash to help disguise the location of the Japanese soldier. One of the interesting aspects of this MG is that the rounds are feed by a hopper mechanism located on the left side of the action. This large hopper was designed to use these 5-round rifle stripper clips with the noted cartridge. There was a large, spring loaded cover over the hopper that they had to lift, then the loaded stripers were laid flat in the hopper so that they feed the cartridges fed sideways into the side of the action. This series of machine gun can be easily distinguished by the very radically curved semi-horizontal steel pistol grip that was attached to the wooden buttstock. This pistol grip/buttstock configuration provided an easy way to carry or hold when in the firing position as well when on the move through the jungle. These were fitted with a larger, heavier type barrel that had circular cooling fins running all the way down the barrel with no flash hider. They also were equipped with a long barrel mounted folding bipod. A very scarce and very unique example of an early WWII Japanese Type 11 (model 1922) light machine gun.

Fine with 70% plus of the original finish overall showing minor wear and blue loss on the edge and high spots overall mixed with some browning on the complete underside of the weapon where it was carried and handled during the war. The buttstock is in good condition with the wood very dark showing heavier pressure dents and light gouges in the wood from actual field use. This scarce example has matching visible serial number on the exposed parts. NOTE: This item is restricted as a National Firearms Act (NFA), fully transferable Class 3, which is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (BATFE) that is classified as a "Curios or Relic" as defined in 27 CFR, 478.11. These weapons are still subject to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 478.