Type 89 Grenade Discharger - 50mm Mortar - Japan

WEAPON / ROF / DAM / PEN / BLK / MAG / SS/BRST / RNG
HE / C:2 B:5 / -9c / - / - / -/- / Max:670m
SMOKE / C:1 B:100 / -
Incendiary / C:1 B:3 / -
ROUND / 50mm
MAG
WEIGHT / See below
PRICE
OTHER
Inservice / 1929-1945
Usedby / Imperial Japanese Army
Wars / Second Sino-Japanese War,
World War II
Weight / 4.7 kg
Length / 610 mm
Barrellength / 254 mm (10 in)
Caliber / 50 mm (1.97 in)
Effectiverange / (Type 89 grenade): 120 m
Maximumrange / (Type 89 grenade): 670 m

The Type 89 Grenade Discharger (Jutekidanto) is a Japanese grenade launcher that was widely used in the Pacific during the Second World War. It entered service in 1929, and differs from the Type 10 Grenade Discharger in that it has a rifled barrel. It could also fire the heavier Type 89 grenade which had a greater range and power than the Type 91 grenade. The Type 89 grenade could not be used effectively in the Jungle because its impact fuse might detonate upon hitting the jungle canopy. The mortar can be disassembled into three parts for ease of transport. Allied forces mistakenly assumed that the grenade launcher was propped on the leg to fire and therefore referred to it as a "knee mortar". A U.S. Marine on Guadalcanal, however, who tried to fire a captured Type 89 in this fashion, broke his thigh.

Although it could be fired by a single person, it was typically operated with a crew of 3, enabling it to reach a rate of fire of about 25 rounds per minute.

Specifications

·  Weight of projectile: 793 g (28 oz)

·  Rate of fire: 25 rounds/minute

Ammunition

·  Type 89 high explosive grenade fitted with impact fuse.

·  Type 91 high explosive grenade fitted with 7 second delay fuse.

·  Type 94 practice shell

·  Smoke shell weight: 0.9 kg containing 0.11 kg of HC type smoke mixture.

·  Incendiary shell weight: 0.57 kg containing 0.32 of incendiary material.