CAW Type 100 SMG Early type ... A Photo Review

History
Type 100 was the only submachine gun designed and produced in Japan. It was based on Bergman MP28 and Sig 1920 (clone of MP18), designed in 1940, introduced to service in 1942. There were three production models: early (1940, with bipod and bayonet lug), paratrooper (like early, with folding stock) and late (1944, simplified due to lack of materials and factories). There were also, of course, prototypes before it entered a production.

Wikipedia information about real Type 100:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_100_submachine_gun
Another good page:
http://world.guns.ru/smg/smg118-e.htm

Modelguns

Tanaka was the leading manufacturer of modelgun rifles and long arms, based on number of different types released. Their models usually featured high quality wooden stocks, as Tanaka was originally wooden parts provider for other modelgun makers (such as CMC).

They originally produced a model of Type 100 (=1940) submachine gun in 1985. It was an "Early model" version with blowback (cap firing). Tanaka reproduced it again in 1993 as a dummy version.

In 2007 CAW working in cooperation with Tanaka released a dummy Type 100 early model using Tanaka-supplied parts that they assembled.

In 2009 CAW decided to release a limited edition modelgun: a prototype of Type 100, more precisely the third version of prototype, therefore modelgun is known as "Type 100 Prototype III". There were a few differences from early model, such a stock and shapes of several parts. It was available with three different wood stock colours (dark, light and normal)

Available accessories included bayonet (one or two versions), spare magazines and dummy cartridges (8mm Nambu). There were also leather and fabric slings, not sure if Tanaka produced.

Original homepage of CAW Type 100:
http://www.caw.co.jp/caw/type100/index.html

Listing of all Japanese modelgun rifles (introduction in English, rest in Japanese)
http://homepage3.nifty.com/nkoinuma/J-Rifles.htm

Very good review of Type 100 (introduction in English, rest in Japanese)
http://homepage3.nifty.com/skoinuma/T100SMG.htm