Type 97 81 mm infantry mortar
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The Type 97 81 mm infantry mortar was a Japanese mortar used primary by Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. The Type 97 designation was given to this gun as it was accepted in the year 2597 of the Japanese calendar (1937).[2] It entered service in 1937. Japanese infantry units often are equipped with 81-mm mortars. The Type 97 81 mm mortar is very commonly used and is referred to by the Japanese as an "Infantry Gun",[2] which breaks down into 3 sections for transport. The markings which appear on the base of the barrel read "97 model small trench mortar."[3]
Type 97 81 mm infantry mortar | |
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Place of origin | Empire of Japan |
Service history | |
Used by | Imperial Japanese Army |
Wars | World War II |
Production history | |
No. built | 1238 produced by late 1942 (total wartime production unknown) |
Specifications | |
Mass | 66 kg (145 lb) |
Length | 1.4 m (56 in) |
Barrel length | 1.26 m (49.5 in) |
Width | 0.67 m (26.5 in) (baseplate)[1] |
Shell weight | Light HE: 3.3 kg (7 lb 4 oz) Heavy HE: 6.5 kg (14 lb 5 oz) |
Caliber | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
Action | Manual |
Elevation | +45 to +85 degrees[1] |
Muzzle velocity | 196 m/s (643 ft/s) |
Effective firing range | Light HE: 3 km (1.9 mi) Heavy HE: 1.2 km (0.75 mi)[1] |
The modified version used by Imperial Japanese Navy with designation Type 3 mortar was used by naval land forces and as anti-submarine weapon on escort ships beginning in 1943.