How the Anti-Aircraft Sights on the Bolt Action Type 99 Arisaka Worked

Posted March 9, 2015 in NFA / Suppressors / Class III by Steve Johnson with 44 Comments
Tags: history, Japan, rifle, wwII

The early model Japanese Type 99 Arisaka was by far the most optimistic rifle ever made. The designers envisioned soldiers shooting 175 grain 7.7x58mm rounds and taking down aircraft. The operation of the sights are explained in this excellent video by C&Rsenal

I wonder how many soldiers with bolt action rifles would be required to match the anti-aircraft capabilities of a single heavy or light machine gun, and how much ammunition Japanese soldiers wasted shooting at fast moving aircraft!

Steve Johnson

I founded TFB in 2007 and over 10 years worked tirelessly, with the help of my team, to build it up into the largest gun blog online. I retired as Editor in Chief in 2017. During my decade at TFB I was fortunate to work with the most amazing talented writers and genuinely good people!