Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of an extremely rare Japanese Type 2 Grenade launcher, designed to work with the Arisaka Type 38 and 99 rifles used during WWII. This is the first time that we have had one of these, and we are unlikely to have another anytime soon. Very few of these were brought back from the pacific theater, and even fewer came back intact, with a working clamp and barrel that still properly removed for loading.

The launcher still has intact markings on the main body, indicating that it is a type 2 grenade launcher, and it has series marking に (Ni) over number 53. The bottom has serial number 10872 marked as well. Condition is very good, with a lovely lightly oxidized patina, which has been left in place to preserve the authenticity.

A great change to pick up a very rare grenade launcher from WWII!

The Type 2 rifle grenade launcher was an attachment for the Japanese Type 38 and Type 99 rifles that allowed them to fire special hollow charge grenades. It was a version of the German Schießbecher grenade launcher. Two grenades were produced for the launcher: a 30 mm calibre grenade and a larger 40 mm calibre grenade, both designated Type 2. The launcher sits over the end of the barrel, held in place with a clamping device. A special crimped blank cartridge or wooden bullet is used to fire the grenades.

The rear of the grenades is pre-rifled to mate with the rifling in the launcher. The rifling ensures that the grenade is spun in flight, giving it stability and arming the rotational fuze. Both grenades use a largely identical fuze, which makes up the rear part of the grenade. On impact, momentum carries the striker assembly forward, overcoming the resistant force of a creep spring into the detonator.