The Adam Park Project

Item Information:

Catalogue Number: See Report 14 Source: TAPP Archaeology Surveys Location: No15 Adam Park Report No: Report No.14 Artifact Type: Ammunition Production Date: 2012-07-11 00:00:00 Dimensions of Item: Rim Dia 12.6mm Width 12.2mm Copyright with The Adam Park Project

Other Description:

10 cartridges and one full round were found at No.15 Adam Park of which 9 were identified as Japanese. They were concentrated on the banking to the east of the main house and suggested the site was th e location of Japanese firing position.

Historic Context:

The standard issue rifle for the Japanese soldier was the Arisaka 6.5mm Type 38 known to the soldiers as the ‘sanpachiju’. It was a reliable and hardy weapon but at 50.2 inches in length it often proved too long for the average Japanese soldier who found it difficult to reach the bolt when the rifle was in the firing position. Sniper sites were developed that had to be mounted further back for the same reason. The rifle despite the reputation of the Japanese sniper, was poor at long ranges. The sniper made up for this deficiency by mastering the art of concealment. In 1939 the Japanese army introduced a more powerful 7.7mm bullet which in turn saw the introduction of the new rifle - Type 99. This also came in a long, short and sniper version. Documentary evidence suggests that the 41st Regiment who attacked Adam Park were armed with the Type 38 rifle and the many of the smaller bullets have been found around the estate testify to that. Two cartridges found at No.15 Adam Park appear to be the Type 38 variant. The remaining 7.7mm round are most likely associated with the Type 96 or Type 99 machine gun