Tokyo Arsenal Experimental Submachine Gun

Tokyo Arsenal Model 1927 - 8x22mm Nambu

sketch Tokyo Arsenal Model 1928 - 8x22mm Nambu. The only known official sketch of the weapon.

The Experimental Submachine Gun (Japanese: 試製自動短銃, Shisei-jidō tanjū) was an early Japanese experimental submachine gun made by the Tokyo Arsenal. Its name is also attributed as Tokyo Arsenal Model 1927 and Tokyo Arsenal Model 1928, though no corresponding Japanese name appears to exist; it is likely this was coined by an English-speaking firearm historian to describe the weapon, which was made in 1927 / 1928 (Year 2 and 3 of Shōwa era). The weapon was rejected by the IJA due to its unreliability. Information on the weapon is limited, even in Japanese sources.

There are two weapons under this name. Namely Tokyo Arsenal Model 1927 and Tokyo Arsenal Model 1928. Both names are a simplification for Western observers to distinguish the two models. You can also call both weapons Tokyo Arsenal Model 1 and Tokyo Arsenal Model 2. It is worth remembering that the term:

• "Model" refers to prototypes.
• "Type" applies to production models.

The Tokyo Arsenal Experimental Submachine Gun never made it beyond the testing phase, so both variants of the weapon are Model 1 and Model 2. Please note that both designations are not official.

• Tokyo Arsenal Model 1927 - it was fed from a box magazine with a capacity of 30 rounds and a 50-round drum magazine. There are reports that the weapon could fire at a rate of 1,200 rounds per minute.
• Tokyo Arsenal Model 1928 - it was fed from a box magazine with a capacity of 18 rounds and could fire single shots and two-shot bursts.

Both prototypes failed tests and the program was canceled in 1930.

Specifications

• Caliber: 8x22mm Nambu
• Length: ?
• Barrel Length: ?
• Weight: ?
• Feed System: Stick and drum magazine

---

The Tokyo Arsenal Experimental Submachine Gun and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:

Video Games

Game Title	Appears as	Mods	Notation	Release Date
Call of Duty: WWII	"Proto-X1"		Tokyo Arsenal Model 1927. Added in 2018 update	2017
Enlisted			Tokyo Arsenal Model 1927	2021