| Year | 1937 |
| Weapon Type | Heavy Anti-Tank Rifle |
| Origin & Designer | [@designer] |
| Numbers Produced | 1.200 |
| Crew | 4 (Gunner, loader & 2 x Ammunition Bearers) |
| Calibre | 20mm (20x124mm) |
| Elevation | [@elevation] |
| Traverse | [@gun_traverse] |
| Cartridge Weight | [@cartridge_weight] |
| Round Weight | [@round_weight] |
| Barrel Length | 1.200mm |
| Overall Length | 2.100mm |
| Grenade Types | [@grenade_types] |
| Mount | Bi-Pod |
| Combat Weight | 59 kg (68 kg with Armoured shield) |
| Operation | Gas Operated / Semi-Automatic |
| Cooling System | [@cooling] |
| Sights | Front Blade and Rear Peep |
| Feed | 7 Round Magazine |
| Practical Rate of Fire | [@practical_rate_of_fire] |
| Maximum Rate of Fire | 12 r.p.m. |
| Blank Cartridge | [@blank_cartridge] |
| Muzzle Velocity | 866 m/s |
| Fuel Capacity | [@fuel_capacity] |
| Minimum Range | [@minimum_range] |
| Effective Range | 250m |
| Maximum Range | 4000m |
| Armour Penetration | 30mm @ 350m 20mm @ 700m |
| Bayonet | [@bayonet] |
| Traction | [@traction] |
| Variants | [@variants] |
| Notes | The type 97 was a semi-automatic anti-tank rifle which could be operated and carried by a two man crew. It was effective at close range against light tanks and was employed against Soviet armour in Manchuria. It apparently had a violent recoil which probably made automatic fire extremely hazardous. Once the allies started to introduce medium and heavy tanks, the type 97 was deemed obsolete, but was kept in service because the Japanese were short on everything. It was issued to anti-tank units in both infantry and cavalry formations. |