Murata rifle
The Murata rifle, known in Japan as Murata jū, was the first rifle Japan produced for its own army. It entered service in 1880 as the Type 13 Murata, a bolt-action, single-shot rifle chambered for 11x60mmR. It marked Japan’s move toward independent weapon production after years of imported rifles.
The gun was designed by Major Murata Tsuneyoshi, who helped build Japan’s weapon-making industry after the Boshin War. Over the years it was improved, becoming the Type 18, and then the Type 22, which introduced a tubular magazine and used smokeless powder. The Type 22, which fired 8mm rounds, entered service in 1889 and also had carbine versions.
Overall, the Murata was accurate and reliable in cold weather, but it used relatively soft steel and had bolt-design flaws that required maintenance. Some researchers called the design a “poor man’s Beaumont” because of certain similarities to older bolt-action designs.
In combat, the Type 22 was issued to only part of the army during the First Sino-Japanese War, with many units still using older single-shot Muratas. It also saw action in the Boxer Rebellion and the Russo-Japanese War. Japan soon began replacing it with the Arisaka Type 30 rifle (designed in 1898), but production limits meant Murata rifles remained in reserve late in the war.
During World War I, some Type 18 rifles were converted to rifle grenades, and other Muratas saw use in various improvised roles, including the Siege of Tsingtao. There were occasional attempts to smuggle Murata rifles to the Philippines, but one shipment was lost in a typhoon, and at least one rifle was captured by American forces.
Today, the Murata is remembered as Japan’s first home-made service rifle and a stepping stone to the newer Arisaka rifles. The Kawaguchiya Firearms Company continued to produce Murata-action rifles and shotguns into the early 20th century.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 20:04 (CET).