Murata Type 13 Complete Specs and Full Gun Specifications

The Murata rifle was was designed by Major Murata Tsuneyoshi, and was the first locally produced Japanese service rifle. It was 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. This was Japan's initial breech loading Rifle completely designed and manufactured since opening it' borders to the Western World in the Victorian era. In 1888 a magazine version was introduced in the reduced caliber of 8mm. Heavily used in the 1st Sino-Japanese War of 1894/1895 followed by the Boxer Rebellion, the Murata was replaced in 1898 by the first Arisaka magazine rifle. The Murata however remained in service for the Russo-Japanese War of 1904/1905.