Type 97 Light Machine Gun

The Type 97 Light Machine Gun  (九七式車載重機関銃 Kyū-nana-shiki shasai jū-kikanjū) was the standard machine gun used in tanks and armored vehicles of the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II, a light machine gun by infantry forces. This weapon was not related to the Type 97 aircraft machine gun used in several Japanese Navy aircraft including the A6M Zero.. The Type 96 was regarded as rugged and reliable and feared by it’s foes. This weapon is fired from an original ball turret out of a Type 95 light battle tank. Attached to this weapon is the original optic that was used to track on targets from inside the tank. This is a very rare and historical piece. This fine example of Japanese history is in pristine condition and guests can see what it was like to sit behind a Type 97 and shoot from the very ball turret that this weapon was mounted to.

This weapon was acquired from Silver Star recipient Warren Sessler. He has been a collector of World War II Japanese weapons and collectibles for many years. Also, Mr. Sessler personally recovered the ball turret from a Type 95 Japanese tank in the mid-1970’s. This is just one of the many items that we have received from Mr. Sessler.