This is a very fine deactivated example of a fairly early production, authentic WWII Japanese Type 96 Light Machine as produced by the Chuo Kogyo Kaisha factory under Kokura Arsenal. This series of light machine guns were developed by General Nambu and approved for use in 1936/1937 but were not available in any large quantities until approximately 1940 or early 1941, shortly before the invasion of Pearl Harbor. They were used from then on throughout the war, eventually being out matched (but not replaced) by the Type 99 light machine gun which fired the heavier and powerful 7.7mm round. These were the main infantry and squad level machine guns used during the invasion of the Philippines and throughout the defense of the various islands during the USMC island hopping campaigns from 1942-1945. The Japanese were very innovative at the use of these weapons tactically during this time in that they equipped these light machine guns with a 2.5 type optical scope to improve target recognition and hit probability at extended ranges. This was the same philosophy as used by the Germans during WWII and which the US finally adopted in the early to mid 1990s. They fired a lower powered version of the standard 6.5mm rifle round intended to reduce the muzzle flash, lower the cyclic rate and prevent parts breakages. They were a very nicely machined light machine gun with a very nicely blued finish with a high quality hardwood stock and pistol grip. They have several features that were copied from the British Bren gun, the Czech ZB and Russian 1936 machine guns. Some of those features were: they fed from a top loading 30 round detachable box magazine, attached folding bipod, off-set front and rear sights with a rotating elevation on the back, were equipped with a quick change, finned barrel which aided in cooling during firing fitted with an attached carrying handle. The side of the receiver is marked the four intertwined cannon balls of the Kokura Arsenal over the serial number "7614" over the Showa date of "14.9 (Sept 1939)" and the scope is marked on top with "2.5 X13, over a double intertwined, inverted triangle symbol with "EK" in the center/21365". These scopes were equipped with a very unique reticule pattern in that they have a large double oval/circle around the periphery of the reticule with range hash marks in six different quadrants, (200, 300 and 400) which allowed them to rapidly estimate ranges in the outer fields of fire. They were also still equipped with the standard sniper scope type ranging cross-hair in the center of the scope. This light machine gun is complete with two spare finned machine gun barrels (one that is matching) and the original leather carrying strap. NOTE: This is a fully transferable NFA Class III Firearm currently on a Form 4. You are required to check your state and/or local laws as to whether or not you may own this. This weapon can be transferred to a Class III dealer at no charge. Buyer pays all other transfer fees and stamps.