Murata rifle

The Murata Rifle was the first indigenously produced Japanese service rifle adopted in 1880 as the Meiji Type 13 Murata Single-Shot Rifle. The 13 referred to the adoption date, the Year 13 in the Meiji period according to the Japanese calendar.

The development of the weapon was lengthy as it involved the establishment of an adequate industrial structure to support it. Before producing local weapons, Japan had been relying on various imports since the time of the Boshin War, and especially on the French Chassepot after the Satsuma Rebellion. This was about 300 years after Japan developed its first guns, derived from Portuguese designs, the Tanegashimas or "Nanban guns".

The design of the Murata was an adaptation of the French Gras rifle, and the German Mauser rifle. The Murata was later upgraded in several variants, some of which were used well into the Russo-Japanese War.

Three models of bayonets were produced for the rifles: Type 13 and Type 18 which were used with the single-shot variants and Type 22 which were compatible with the repeater variants.

It was replaced by the Arisaka series of rifles in 1898, which also used the more modern smokeless powder.

Variants

 * Type 13 (1880) Preliminary model (11×60mmR). Bolt action, single-shot.
 * Type 16 (1883) Carbine (11×60mmR). Derived from Type 13, structurally identical.
 * Type 18 (1885) Final version (11×60mmR). Improved internal mechanisms and ergonomics.
 * Type 22 (1889) Smaller caliber repeater (8×53mmR). Tube magazine, capacity of eight rounds.
 * Type 22 Carbine (1889) Carbine variant of original Type 22 (8×53mmR). Tube magazine holds five rounds.
 * Civilian Models (Various) Usually retired Type 13s and Type 18s. Were commonly converted to bolt action shotguns via omission of bayonet lugs and rifling.