Manchu Arisaka: The Imperial Dragon Type 30
The Imperial Dragon Type 30
The designation
A small number of Japanese Arisaka Type 30 with distinct Chinese imperial dragon crest were imported from China in 1980s. American collectors are used to call these Type 30 as Manchu Arisaka based on its unique Chinese characters and imperial dragon crest. In China, some sources refer to these as “Type Kuangthsu 29th year” rifle, which appears in the contract texts.
During the late Qing China, imported weapons did not assign official designations. Imported weapons were either called its original foreign designation or were given a descriptive name. In the Imperial China government documents, Japanese Type 30 rifle usually are referred as “六米里五口徑五響無煙步、马快槍” which translates to “6.5 m/m Caliber Five shots repeating infantry rifle/cavalry carbine”. And sometimes it also referred as “29th year made” rifle and “31th year made” rifle according to the crests.
The manufacturer, Koishikawa Arsenal, and Japanese government archives recorded these Chinese contract Type 30 rifles and carbines as “Type C” which comes from the initial of the word “China”. It’s a standard use of the initial of the buyer to designate the contract rifle. This rule also applied to the Siamese contract Mauser pattern rifle, Type S.
Early history of China imports of Type 30
Before we jump into the history of Manchu Arisaka, I would prefer to give a short introduction of early Type 30 imported to China. Various Existent documents show that early in 1899 (Emperor Kuangthsu Year 25th), Japanese Ministry of Army had sent Type 30 rifles as gifts to several Chinese high officials, including the Governors-General of Liangjiang, which obviously was trying to attract Chinese interests of Japanese weapons. At the time, German and Britain were two major small arms suppliers to China, large amount of guns from black powder guns, like Mauser 71 and Martini Henry, to up-to-date smokeless powder rifles, such as Gew 88, were imported since 1880s.
Before the settlement of Manchu Arisaka contract, Japan had sold a few non-feature Arisaka Type 30 and outdated Murata to several Chinese provincial buyers, including Sichuan, Guangdong, Hubei and Jiangsu. These rifles were imported either through Japanese arms dealers or directly bought by Chinese Embassy and special diplomatic missions. Three Japanese weapon distributors, Takata (高田), Mitsui（三井）and Okura （大倉）were involved in Japan weapon exportations.
Estimated, from 1903 to 1907 Japan sold around 90000 to 100000 Type 30 rifles and carbines to China via Takata, Mitsui and Okura. In 1908 (Emperor Meiji Year 41), a new consortium, Taihei Union, was established to handle Japanese weaponry exportation business, which was chartered by the Imperial Japanese Ministry of Army, of course under its control. Takata, Mitsui and Okura are the only members of the consortium.
“Kuangthsu 29th year made”
A Japanese government document shows in 1901, Governors-General of Zhili (直隶总督), General Yuan Shikai, already had an intention to purchase Japanese rifles. But this offer never realized since The Boxer Protocol Clause prohibited China from importing weapons for 2 years which shall be lifted in August 1903.
On July 18 1903, General Senba Tarō (仙波太郎), the Commander of Japanese China Garrison Army, reported that General Yuan was intending to order 10000 rifles to arm his troops. General Yuan declared that he would choose Germany arms if Japan couldn’t fill his requirements. The process of how did Japanese secure the contract is unknown to us now, the fact is General Yuan ordered thousands of rifles, artillery and munitions through two Japanese dealers Mitsui and Okura later this year.
Fives days after General Senba Tarō’s telegraph, General Yuan’s representative signed a contract with Takata trading company on July 23 for 3000 pieces of Type 30 rifle and 2.5 million rounds of cartridge. Due to the embargo, the contract shall be executed within ten days after the embargo is uplifted which is supposed to be August 25, 1903. Unfortunaly relevant Chinese document is not found yet.
In the contract dated November 3, Takata ordered 1500 pieces of Type 30 rifle for General Yuan from Koishikawa Arsenal. These rifles shall have Chinese “Kuangthsu 29th year made” and Mauser rear sight as the contract stipulated. My personal view is the November 3 contract is an amendment of Beiyang-Takata contract. Takata might provide 1500 pieces of non-feature Type 30 rifle at first, then as Yuan ordered “Imperial dragon” rifles, he might want the rest 1500 rifles changed to “Kuangthsu 29th year made” configuration as well.
On October 3, Mitsui-Okura initially ordered 12000 pieces of Type C rifle and 2000 pieces of Type C carbine from Koishikawa Arsenal. The quantity of rifle was revised to 9000 on October 22 and final agreement was made on October 31 that Koishikawa Arsenal shall provide following weapons to Mitsui-Okura:
l 9000 “Type C rifle” with
bayonet at 19.75 Yen each;
l 2000 “Type C carbine” at
18.30 Yen each;
l 4.5 million rounds of
6.5 Cal cartridge at price of 30.5 Yen each 1000 rounds.
l 70000 rounds of practice cartridge
The first article of the contract states that Japanese Kanji Type 30 and mum on the crest shall be respectively replaced with Chinese characters of “Kuangthsu 29th year made” and imperial dragon and the rear sight shall be replaced by the new design.
General Yuan’s memorial to Emperor dated January 31 1904 stated that the contract between two Japanese agencies Mitsui and Okura had been signed in the last October in which the dealers agreed to supply 12000 Type 30 rifles and 2000 Type 30 carbines. In this memorial, General Yuan included a list of weapons and munitions:
l 12000 “6.5 m/m Caliber
Five shots repeating infantry rifle” with bayonet at 22.275 Yen each
l 2000 “Five shots
repeating cavalry carbines” with bayonet at 20.68 Yen each
l 7 Million rounds of 6.5
Cal cartridge at 42.35 Yen per 1000 rounds
l 70000 rounds of practice
cartridge at 34.65 Yen per 1000 rounds
l 12000 pairs of rifle
sling and ammo pouch at 6.18 Yen each
l 2000 pairs of carbine sling and ammo pouch at 3.1 Yen each
The only difference between Chinese contract rifle and original Type 30 are in two spots. First, Japanese Type 30 characters and mum are replaced by Chinese characters of “Kuangthsu 29th year made” and Imperial Dragon. Second, the ladder sight is replaced by Mauser pattern tangent sight.
In Chinese edition of the contract, Article 7 stipulates that Chinese contract guns shall be equipped with Mauser Tangent sight. Article 13 stipulates that Japanese Kanji Type 30 shall be replaced by Chinese character of “Kuangthsu 29th year made” and an Imperial Dragon shall be stamped above the Chinese characters of “Kuangthsu”
“Kuangthsu 31th year made”
In 1904, no order was put in this year due to the Russo-Japanese War. General Yuan’s memorial in March 1905 stated he ordered 15000 peieces Gew 88 last year because of the outbreak of war. Japanese Ministry of Army has a report of arms exportation during the period of war confirming no foreign orders was coming in except delivery of the orders prior to the war.
Into 1905, Japan was available to handle foreign orders again so that General Yuan resumed to order rifles from Japan. In the contract dated April 22, 1905, Mitsui-Okura ordered 16000 pieces of “Type C rifle” and 4000 pieces of “Type C carbine” from Koishikawa Arsenal, the buyer is General Yuan. Contract articles reveal that the rifles and carbines are same to the “Kuangthsu 29th year made” contract except the crest Chinese characters changed to “Kuangthsu 31st year made” accordingly.
In May 1905, the 1st Division of Imperial Army was founded. This unit had been using Japanese arms and equipment so that General Yuan ordered additional 4000 pieces of “Kuangthsu 31st year made” rifle and 2000 pieces of “Kuangthsu 31st year made” carbine from Mitsui-Okura. The contract between Mitsui-Okura and Koishikawa Arsenal was singed on July 6 1905.
Serial number and the actual quantity of “29th & 31th year made”
The existent documents show that 32000 rifles and 7000 carbines were sold to General Yuan between 1903 and 1905:
|
Distributor |
Quantity |
Crest |
Model |
|
Takata |
1500 |
— |
Rifle |
|
Mitsui-Okura |
1500 |
Kuangthsu 29th year |
Rifle |
|
9000 |
Rifle |
||
|
2000 |
Carbine |
||
|
16000 |
Kuangthsu 31st year |
Rifle |
|
|
4000 |
Carine |
||
|
4000 |
Rifle |
||
|
1000 |
Carbine |
||
|
4000 |
Kuangthsu 32nd year |
Rifle |
From Chinese documents there are 12000 “Kuangthsu 29th year made” rifles which contradicts the lowest reported “31st year made” SN10608 if serial number is consecutive. My assumption is the actual quantity of “29th year made” is 10500.
We’ve learned that the contract between Takata and General Yuan on July 23 1903 is for 3000 Type 30 rifles. Takata and Koishikawa Arsenal contract dated November 3 ordered only 1500 Type C rifles.
We also learned that Mitsui & Okura ordered 12000 on October 3, then on October 22 dealers informed Koishikawa that they only need 9000 rifles now. Thus they signed a revised contract for 9000 rifles on October 30. There is no material to point out the reason of the change.
I speculate China had 3000 rifles from Takata followed by another 9000 from Mitsui & Okura which accords to General Yuan’s memorial on January 31 1904 of 12000 rifles. Out of unknown reason, maybe a clergy’s misunderstanding of General’s instruction, China representative did not know 3000 rifles had been ordered so that he required 12000 rifles from Mitsui & Okura. Several days later, someone realized the mistake and asked Japanese a new offering of 9000 rifles. After signing the Mitsui & Okura contract, the Takata contract rifles might have not arrived in China, General Yuan required Takata to deliver the rest 1500 rifles as same as “Kuangthsu 29th year made” which is the story we’ve seen in Takata and Koishikawa Arsenal contract dated November 3.
I infer that only half of the 3000 Takata rifles has “Manchu Arisaka” configuration with special Chinese characters, which are the ones referred in November 3 doc. Takata delivered another 1500 featureless Type 30 to General Yuan at first.
Takata’s 3000 rifles plus Mitsui & Okura’s 9000 rifles accords to the number in General Yuan’s memorial to the Emperor. But only 10500 rifles are “Kuangthsu 29th year made” including Takata’s 1500 rifles and Mitsui-Okura’s 9000 rifles. There is very little chance that General Yuan bought extra 1500 rifles in addition to 12000 rifles he reported. Extra rifle means he has to allocate substantial extra funds to cover the cost. Besides, if he did not report the guns to obtain a custom permit, without permit these guns legally are smuggled.
“Kuangthsu 29th year made” contract rifles are sequenced in continuous numbering from 1 to 10500. Subsequent 20000 “Kuangthsu 31st year made” contract rifles came from Mitsui-Okura are serialized from 10501 to 30500 following the last “Kuangthsu 29th year made”.
The lowest observed “Kuangthsu 31st year made” SN 10608 substantiates my conclusion. Current known specimen all fit into it. Otherwise, S/N of "31st year made" should starts either from higher 12000 or lower 9000.
“Kuangthsu 32th year made”
In addition to General Yuan’s orders, the only and the last Manchu Arisaka were ordered by another Chinese General, Liu Yongqing, who purchased 4000 pieces “Kuangthsu 32nd year made” Machu Arisaka rifle in 1906. General Liu died on September 1906, his successor General Wang Shizhen reported one year later that General Liu purchased 4000 Japanese rifles. Japanese Ministry of Army record show that “Kuangthsu 32nd year made” rifles are almost identical to the “29th & 31th year made” Type 30 ordered by General Yuan except “Kuangthsu 32nd year made” keeps original ladder rear sight. Japanese document tells that the rifles are serialized from “No.1” to “No.4000”.
Delivery and use of Manchu Arisaka
Although some news appeared on then Chinese newspaper and a few Japanese documents have some delivery information, exact delivery date of “Manchu Arisaka” cannot be determined now. The known fact is these rifles and carbines were issued to General Yuan’s Army. In March 1905, Yuan’s 1st Division had replaced Mannlicher with Japanese rifles and carbines and his cavalry troops of 2 Division had armed Japanese carbine.
Head chief of Hunan Province Military School in his statement of visiting Yuan’s army in April 1904 said Yuan’s soldiers armed Japanese Type 30 rifles which Yuan had bought 14000 pieces in the last winter.
Official newspaper of Shandong Province issued on January 5 1906 reported that Imperial Army The 4 Division had received 10000 new Japanese Type 30 rifles. Meanwhile, in late December 1905, Japan official reported that 15000 pieces of “Type C rifle” were made delivery. Japan Ministry of Army filed a report of Japanese weaponry imports to China from 1903 to 1907 in which 5600 pieces of “Type C rifle” and 11024 pieces of Cavalry carbine were recorded. However, the number seems incorrect and it does not tell whether the quantity is of the ordered or of the delivered.
In 1906, Yuan’s Army had issued 24604 Japanese rifles and 5631 carbines. Some of the weapons were allocated to Beiyang Arenal for replacement use of broken ones.
Bieyang government report of Army 1916 shows 1 Division armed Japanese rifles, 4 Division and 2nd Brigade armed both “Type year 29” and “Type year 31” rifle and carbine, 6 Division armed “Type year 31” rifle.
The Rifle and Carbine
The rifle and carbine itself of “Manchu Arisaka” is almost identical to original Type 30 except the crest, Mauser tangent rear sight and full upper handguard. If you are interested in the rifle itself, please read Mr. Allan’s article published on Banzai magazine, plenty information of the rifle features and pictures.
The only thing I’d like to talk is the probable reason that Chinese decided to go with Mauser style sight and full-length handguard comes outs of the rifle trials conducted in 1903.
In the early 1903, China conducted comparison tests to determine the caliber and the action for the their future small caliber repeating rifle. The test results featured Japanese Arisaka 6.5 caliber and Mauser Mod.03 bolt action. A Japanese military observer, who attended the test, reported to Ministry of the Army said that China planed to adopt a new rifle which should be in 6.5 or 7 m/m caliber with Mauser 1903 bolt action, rear sight and handguard. This test was not intended for Manchu Arisaka rifle contract, but it must influence Yuan’s preference. Chinese prefer Mauser sight because of the marks on the side walls of the rear sight which the instructor can use to instruct soldiers aiming while in training.
An analysis of Serial number and quantites
The existent documents tell that 32000 rifles and 7000 carbines were sold to General Yuan between 1903 and 1906, including 3000 rifles from Takata, 29000 rifles and 7000 carbines from Mitsui-Okura. Serial numbers of the rifle and carbine are in separate series based on that of observed specimen.
However, the lowest observed “Kuangthsu 31st year made” SN 10608 falls into the block of “Kuangthsu 29th year made” if which is serialized from 1 to 12000 then followed by “Kuangthsu 31th year made” from 12001. The plausible explanation is 1500 pieces of the earliest Takata contract rifles were normal Type 30 without special marking and also the serial numbers are not in the sequence of “Type C” rifles. This makes total numbers of “Kuangthsu 29th year made” rifles of 10500.
To analyze Takata’s contract of 1500 pieces of “Type C rifle” having two assumptions. It’s known that General Yuan singed contract with Takata for 3000 rifles in July and Takata singed contract with Tokyo Artillery Arsenal modifying 1500 Type rifles to “Type C” configuration on November 3.
One possible explanation is that China ordered 3000 rifles then altered to 1500. In this case, China ordered only total 10500 rifles. However more clues lead me to another more plausible explanation.
It’s likely that Takata made the delivery of the first half. The second half of the order was requested by Chinese modifying to “Kuangthsu 29th year made” configuration after Chinese singed the Mitsui-Okura contract. The deducted quantity of 3000 rifles of Mitsui-Okura contract suggests the same conclusion that 3000 Takata rifles plus 9000 Mitsui-Okura rifles.
Another evidence is Chinese official recording of 12000 rifles were bought in the year. Based on my research, sometimes details are implicit in Chinese documents, but they would not mistaken numbers.
Thus, Kuangthsu 29th year made” block has 10500 rifles, which consists of Takata’s 1500 rifles and 9000 rifles of Mitsui-Okura, serial number from 1 to 10500. Then 20000 “Kuangthsu 31st year made” rifles came from Mitsui-Okura, serial number from 10501 to 30500. Current known specimen SN perfectly corroborates my assumption.
Based on my research, the actual quantity of “Kuangthsu 29th year made” and “Kuangthsu 31st year made” rifles is 30500. Plus 4000 “Kuangthsu 32nd year made” rifles sold to General Liu, the total number of Manchu Arisaka is up to 34500.
Existent examples including “Kuangthsu 29th year made”, “Kuangthsu 31st year made” and “Kuangthsu 32th year made”, both 29th Year and 31st Year were purchased by Yuan Shikai, Governor-General of Zhi’li, to arm Imperial Army 1st Division, 2nd Division, 4th Division and 6th Division. “Kuangthsu 32th year made” rifles were purchased by General Liu Yongqing.
The first batch I believed was purchased in July 23rd 1903. Chinese delegations, at Yuan’s behest, signed a contract with Japanese arm broker Takata to buy 3000 Type 30 rifles and 2.5 million cartridges. The Boxer rebellion protocol imposed a two year ban of armaments importation from Aug 25th 1901 to August 25th 1903. Thereby, they agreed to perform the contract within 10 days as the ban had been lifted. Takata signed a contract with Tokyo Artillery Arsenal to buy 1500 “Type C” rifles on behalf of Yuan in November 30th 1903, however, there is not any solid evidence to prove if these 1500 rifles belongs to Takata’s previous China contract (I incline to believe this is half of July 23rd 1903 contract) . Type C rifles ring crest as required by China to have Chinese “Kuangthsu 29th year made” and Imperial dragon instead of original Kanji “30 Year Type” and chrysanthemum.
Three months after signing the Takata contract, Yuan ordered the second batch “Manchu Arisaka”. He reported to the Emperor that he had purchased 12000 rifles, 2000 carbines, 7 million live cartridges and 70000 drill cartridges through two Japanese brokers, Okura (大仓) and Mitsui in September. Japan document shows in October 3, Oukua and Mitsh signed contract with Tokyo Artillery Arsenal to acquire 12000 “Type C” rifles, 2000 “Type C” Carbines, 4.5 Million cartridges and 70000 drill cartridges. The quantity of rifles was amended from 12000 to 9000 in October 22. Final contract was singed in October 31 to buy 9000 rifles and 2000 carbines.
Comparing both sides documents, quantities of Takata and Oukua/Mitsh contracts added up are matched with the quantity in Yuan’s report. I personally believe Takata did supply 3000 “Type C” to China in their July contract.
Each “Kuangthsu 29th year made” rifle with bayonet costs 22.275 Yen, carbine with bayonet costs 20.68 Yen. Oukua and Mitsh order the rifle and carbine from Tokyo Artillery Arsenal for 19.75 Yen and 18.3 Yen each respectively.
Exact delivery date of weapons cannot be determined now. Head chief of Hunan Province Military School visited Yuan’s army in April 1904. In his report of visiting, the soldiers armed with Japanese Type 30 rifles. In March 1905 General Xu Shichang reported that 1st Division ( actual in brigade size) and 2nd Division equipped Type 30 rifles and carbines, 4th Division equipped Type 30 carbines.
China did not put any order in 1904 due to Russo-Japanese War. In 1905, China resumed military order of rifles and carbines from Japan.
The first “Kuangthsu 31st year made” Type C rifle order was put on March 1905 for 16000 rifles and 4000 carbines. Okura and Mitsh signed the contract with Tokyo Artillery Arsenal in April 22nd. Having not found relevant Chinese documents for this contract yet.
Okura and Mitsh ordered the second batch of 4000 “Kuangthsu 31st year made” rifles and 1000 carbines from Tokyo Artillery Arsenal for General Yuan on July 6th. Yuan reported on September 12 1905 that he had purchased 4000 rifles and 1000 carbines which Japan brokers agree to deliver in November.
The delivery date of 1905 contract also cannot be determined. Imperial Japan Ministry of the Army claimed that up to September 1906, 5600 “Type C” rifles and 11024 “Type C” carbines had been supplied to China (The number seems wrong since China would not buy so many carbines). Until 1907, Japan still was delivering small numbers of “Kuangthsu 31st year made” “Type C” rifles to China.
After 1905, Yuan did not put any order of “Type C” rifles. General Liu Yongqing in 1906 bought 4000 “Kuangthsu 32st year made” Type C rifles which are same to the previous Type C rifles to Yuan except it fitted with Type 30 ladder sight. And have separate serial numbers from “No.1” to “No.4000”.
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