The Adam Park Project

Item Information:

Catalogue Number: 14/03/24b, 14/03/24c, Source: TAPP Archaeology Surveys Location: No13 & 14 Adam Park Report No: Report No.21 Artifact Type: Ammunition Production Date: 2013-11-20 00:00:00 Dimensions of Item: Base Dia 11.5mm, Rim Dia 12.5mm Copyright with The Adam Park Project

Other Description:

There were three types of cartridges found in the gardens of No. 13 and 14 Adam Park; the Arisaka 6.5mm rounds, .45 ACP rounds and the standard issue British .303 rounds. Three Japanese cartridges (one unfired) and two unfired full rounds were found. The head of the cartridges were cleaned and revealed the tell-tale three groves in the base. The dimensions suggest they are all 6.5mm round. One full rund was still mounted in its charger.

Historic Context:

The standard issue rifle for the Japanese soldier was the Arisaka 6.5mm Type 38 known to the soldiers as the ‘sanpachiju’. This was a five shot bolt action rifle that first saw service in the 1930’s and was based on the German Mauser rifle that dated back to the Russo Japanese war. 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. We know from the Japanese accounts of the fighting at Adam Park that the men of the 41st Regiment who were tasked with taking the estate were armed primarily with the Type 38 rifle.