Type 26 revolver

Type 26 revolver
Type	Revolver
Place of origin	Japan
Service history
In service	1893–1945
Used by	See users
Wars	Russo-Japanese War, Second Sino-Japanese War, World War I, World War II
Production history
Designed	1893
Manufacturer	Koishikawa Arsenal
Produced	1893–1935[1]
No. built	59,300[1] to 59,900[2]
Specifications
Mass	880 g (1 lb 15oz) unloaded [1]
Length	231 mm (9.09 in)[1]
Barrel length	121 mm (4.76 in)[1]
Height	130 mm (5.12 in)[1]
Cartridge	9mm Japanese revolver[1]
Action	Double-action
Muzzle velocity	229 m/s (750 ft/s) [1]
Feed system	6–round cylinder
Sights	Blade, V-notch

The Type 26 or Model 26 "hammerless" revolver (二十六年式拳銃, Nijuuroku-nen-shiki kenjuu) was the first modern revolver adopted by the Imperial Japanese Army. It was developed at the Koishikawa Arsenal and is named for its year of adoption in the Japanese dating system (the 26th year of the Meiji era, i.e., 1893). The revolver saw action in conflicts including the Russo-Japanese War, World War I and World War II.

It is an amalgamation of design features from other revolvers made during the time period. The revolver has a design flaw in that the cylinder freewheels when not engaged, so during movement (such as in combat) it may rotate to an already fired chamber. Five distinct phases of production have different markings depending on the time and individual Type 26 produced. The 9mm Japanese revolver ammunition used is unique to the weapon. The Type 26 has a double-action only mechanism and is therefore difficult to aim accurately. The Type 26 was replaced by the Nambu pistol in the first half of the 20th century.