Naval History and Heritage Command

Title: Machine Gun, Aircraft, 7.92mm, Type 98/Type 1, Japanese, S/N 1746
Accession #: NHHC 1961-224-CB
Circa: Mid-20th Century
Size: 
Medium: Metal, Wood
Location: Headquarters Artifact Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command

The Japanese Type 98/Type 1 is an air-cooled, fully automatic weapon intended for use in aircraft flexible mounts as a self-defense weapon. It is recoil operated and fires 7.92mm ammunition from an open bolt. A detachable 75-round double-drum magazine feeds ammunition directly into the top of the receiver through a feed tower. The Type 98 is a license-produced copy of the German MG15 aircraft machine gun used by the Imperial Japanese Army. Introduced into Japanese service in 1940, the Type 98 saw service in a variety of aircraft during World War II. In Imperial Japanese Navy service, the Type 98 was designated the Type 1. The Type 98/Type 1 saw further service with the (North) Korean People’s Army during the Korean War.

The gun has a tubular blued steel receiver of machined construction with a tubular stamped steel, perforated cooling sleeve covering the barrel. The rear of the receiver and the pistol grip have wood covers to protect the operator from heat during firing. The trigger has a circular guard. A tubular charging handle protrudes from the right side of the receiver. The feedway and ejection port are in the forward part of the receiver on top and bottom, respectively. A pair of small trunnions at the forward part of the receiver allow attachment to a flexible yoke mount. A folding ring sight is mounted where the barrel attaches to the receiver and a folding post sight is mounted to the front of the barrel just behind the muzzle compensator. The detachable 75-round saddle drum magazine feeds ammunition from both chambers down through the center feed tower into the receiver of the gun. The magazine is stamped steel with corrugated sides for strength and a carrying handle across the top.