Type 96 (1936) 6.5 mm light machine gun, 1940 (c)

Introduced in 1936 as a replacement for the 11th Year Model, this gun was little better than the earlier type. The hopper system was discarded and a 30 round box magazine substituted. However, the ammunition still required oiling which led to dust entering the mechanism. The reduced-charge 6.5 mm cartridge was also inadequate for machine gun use. More powerful machine guns designed for 7.7 mm ammunition were introduced in the 1930s, but the Type 96 continued to be produced throughout World War Two (1939-1945).

Donated by The Royal Anglian Regiment