Type Submachine gun In service 1935–1945 Designer Kijiro Nambu | Place of origin Empire of Japan Used by Imperial Japanese Navy | |
Wars Second Sino-Japanese War
World War II | ||
The Experimental Model 2 Submachine Gun (試製二型機関短銃, Shisei-ni-gata kikan-tanjū) was a submachine gun of Japanese origin chambered in the 8mm Nambu round and was issued to Japanese Naval units.
The machine gun was produced in relatively small numbers for the IJA during the invasion of Shanghai. During its trial periods it was found that the 8mm round which it used had a tendency to jam the weapon further restricting its use by both the Imperial Marines and army. After adopting several changes to the body a much smaller and lighter variant was introduced, christened the "bull pup" by American G.I.s who encountered it in combat as it was so rare. It had a 50-round magazine extending from the pistol grip, a unique feature which would not resurface in submachine gun design for nearly fifteen years, predating the Sa vz. 23 and IMI Uzi.
The other submachine gun used by the Japanese military, the Type 100, was much more numerous. It was also used by the Imperial Army as well as the Navy. The Type 100 was the only finalized sub-machine gun used by the Japanese although it was more cumbersome than the Model 2.