This is a beautiful example of an early, fully automatic, reactivated WWII Japanese Type 96 Light Machine Gun as produced by the Chuo Kogyo Kaisha factory under Kokura Arsenal in July 1941. This series of light machine guns as developed by General Nambu and approved for use in 1936/1937 but were not available in any large quantities until late 1940/41. The side of the receiver is marked with the four intertwined cannon balls of the Kokura Arsenal over the serial number "47990" over the Showa date of "16.7 (July 1941)". It has matching (visible) serial numbers on the various parts except the barrel, which is also stamped with the company markings who reactivated the weapon. These light MGs were the main infantry and squad level machine guns used during all the early invasions of the Philippines and China as well as throughout the war that was eventually superceded by the Type 99 Mg that fired the 7.7mm cartridge. These were used throughout WWII right along with the Type 99 MG. This model fired a special 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 an exceptionally well manufactured light weight machine gun with a beautiful blued finish and a high quality hardwood stock and pistol grip. They employed several features copied from the foreign machine guns such as a top loading 30 round detachable box magazine, attached folding bipod, off-set front and rear sights with a rotating elevation dial on the back, quick change finned barrel to aid in cooling of the barrel to prevent "cook-offs" during long strings of firing and were fitted with an attached carrying handle for rapid movement in the field. This light machine gun is complete with one magazine, however, it is missing the flash hider.