V — Made in China in the Late "Twenty-Year Armistice" and During WWII (Part 3): The Three Divine Weapons (1)

In 1940, three Chinese weapons were finalized and formally entered service with the military. They participated in the October 1st "1940 National Day Parade," a tribute to the motherland, after which the units equipped with these new weapons immediately deployed to the front. This was the unprecedented 1940 "Grand National Day Parade" — the one and only time that parade units marched directly from the People's Square to the battlefield.

These three weapons were: the QBZ40 assault rifle, the PF40 rocket launcher, and the Type 40 107mm rocket artillery system.

In October 1923, just one year after the founding of New China, the nation's creator and then-President Chen Ke convened a seminar on military equipment development in the capital, Zhengzhou. Facing a reality in which domestic unification was complete and rapid development was underway, yet foreign imperialist forces remained powerful, Chen Ke engaged experts and scholars from military equipment research institutes across the nation in discussions about the future armament of the People's Liberation Army. The contents of this conference remain unknown to posterity — its classification was elevated to the highest level. Yet we can still discern certain clues from the subsequent trajectory of Chinese military equipment. According to informed sources, even the J-20 stealth fighter, which entered service in the 1980s, was still influenced by this seminar!

In the early period — from the founding of the People's Party through to the 1923 seminar — China's military equipment was essentially imported. Even after the People's Party established its base areas and organized its own ordnance research institutes, military equipment was still primarily imitated or repaired foreign designs, never free of foreign influence (with the exception of the Air Force's aircraft). Only after the seminar — drawing on prior experience with reverse engineering and the collective wisdom gathered at the conference — did China embark on the path of independent weapons development.

1) When New China was founded in 1922, the infantry formations that marched in the inaugural parade all carried brand-new Type 19 rifles. Stalwart infantrymen, bayonets bristling like a forest — "How mighty is our army!" was the overwhelming thought of every spectator. But in truth, very few people at the time knew that the predecessor of this weapon — only recently issued to troops in large numbers as the Chinese Army's primary arm — could be traced back to the previous century.

After the First World War, the Treaty of Versailles strictly limited Germany's development and production of military weapons. Postwar Germany, constrained by the treaty, could neither manufacture nor export arms. However, Germany continued its development by leveraging cooperation with Chinese and other foreign arsenals. The Type 19 rifle — later famous as the most numerous rifle of the Second World War — was the crowning achievement of Sino-German collaboration in firearms.

The Type 19 rifle's ancestor was the 7.92mm Gewehr 98, adopted by the German Army in 1898. After the First World War, the German side and China's Nanyang Light Weapons Research Institute commenced joint development of an improved variant of the Gew. 98. One year later, their collaborative effort produced the Type 19 rifle.

The Type 19 shortened the Gew. 98's barrel to 600mm (23.6 inches) and reduced overall length from the Gew. 98's 1.25 meters to 1.11 meters, while adopting new sighting equipment. Later, an improved standard version — designated the Type 19-2 — appeared, based on the Type 19. In Germany, this rifle was adopted by quasi-military organizations including the German Postal Service, Customs, and Railway Bureau. It was designated in Germany as the Karabiner 98k (abbreviated Kar. 98k or simply 98k).

The Type 19 and its improved Type 19-2 variant remained in service until 1940, when they were finally replaced by the QBZ40 family — weapons of superior accuracy, greater firepower, and better versatility. Between these two generations of rifles, there existed another, little-known weapon: a transitional design developed by the Nanyang Light Weapons Research Institute to bridge the gap from bolt-action to automatic rifles. Ultimately, because Chen Ke's theoretical guidance vastly accelerated the development of the QBZ40 family, this transitional weapon was never adopted by the Chinese Army.

This rifle was known internally at the Nanyang Light Weapons Research Institute as the "Type 36 Semi-Automatic Rifle." Abroad, it bore a far more famous name: the "Chinese Black Gun."

2) For the story of the "Chinese Black Gun," see The Story of the Chinese Black Gun — I shall not repeat it here.

Let us now turn to the QBZ40: the world's first weapons family, the first true assault rifle, and an ageless legend that continues to be produced and improved to this day. A line spoken by Nicolas Cage in the Hollywood film Lord of War can be considered the most precise summation of the QBZ40: "It elegantly and simply combines nine pounds of forged steel with solid wood. It will never break, jam, or overheat. You can fire it even when covered in mud and sand. It is the soldiers' favorite."

This is the QBZ40 — the ageless legend.

In 1930, the Nanyang Light Weapons Research Institute designed a semi-automatic carbine chambered in 7.62×39mm, employing a gas-operated action. The piston and piston rod were fixed together but not connected to the bolt carrier. Magazine capacity was ten rounds. The gas tube was positioned above the barrel. The weapon used a rotating bolt for locking, with two large symmetrical locking lugs on a bolt head that rotated clockwise. This locking mechanism was directly derived from the American M1 Garand. However, the rotating bolt head on this semi-automatic carbine had been improved by the Nanyang Institute — it was longer, rotated faster, and dramatically increased the reliability of the locking mechanism. But because Chairman Chen Ke had personally joined the development of the assault rifle project designated QBZ-1, this semi-automatic carbine never received an official designation and was known only internally at the Nanyang Institute as the N30.

The N30 subsequently became an experimental platform at the Nanyang Institute. Its design specifications were extremely exacting. The first requirement was simplicity — so simple that a person with no prior experience could quickly learn to use and maintain it. The second requirement was versatility — with only the simplest tools and a minimal change of parts, it could fire different types of ammunition. The third requirement was reliability — it had to function normally from the frigid Northeast to the hot, humid jungles of northern Vietnam. Had it not been for the QBZ-1, whose design requirements were identical but whose other capabilities — such as firepower — were superior, the N30 would certainly have become the Chinese Army's next-generation standard rifle.

Unfortunately, fate was unkind. The N30 continued to serve as an experimental platform at the Nanyang Institute — a testbed for new barrel materials, new ammunition, new rifle grenade trials, and so on. These experiments continued until 1936, when all testing finally concluded. The ultimate "super-experimental" (kitchen-sink) variant of the N30 was given the final designation: N36.

Although domestically ill-timed, the N30/N36 found another purpose. The Type 19 series was a Sino-German co-development, and contractual obligations prevented either party from selling it to third parties. The QBZ-1 was still in the experimental phase. And the finalized QBZ40, as the world's most advanced assault rifle, obviously could not be exported. Therefore, Chairman Chen Ke approved the N30 and its final improved variant, the N36, for sale abroad as China's export rifle.

According to incomplete statistics, the N36 — marketed externally as the Type 36 Semi-Automatic Rifle — sold fewer than one million units worldwide as China's first export weapon. The modest sales were attributable to two main factors: first, with the Second World War looming, various nations were accelerating domestic arms production and had little bandwidth for foreign procurement; second, China North Industries Corporation — spun off from the Nanyang Institute specifically to handle arms sales — was conducting its first-ever arms deals and lacked experience. Additionally, once the war began, weapons sales naturally ceased. Nevertheless, the Type 36 earned unprecedented acclaim worldwide: its bolt action was reliable, it was solidly built and durable, its malfunction rate was low, and it performed well in any temperature. It was especially reliable in wind, sand, mud, and water — even during sustained fire or when dust and debris entered the mechanism, its mechanical design ensured continued operation. It was easy to service and simple to field-strip. Many soldiers exclaimed after their first use: "This is a weapon born for war!"

Although the Type 36's sales were not particularly large, it established the reputation of Chinese weapons. The image of Chinese arms as solid and durable was from that moment firmly planted in the minds of armies worldwide. To this day, many Type 36 rifles that were exported continue to function perfectly. The reason is the Type 36's inherent quality and durability — as well as the devoted care of the soldiers who carried them. There are documented cases of a single Type 36 passing through the hands of multiple soldiers, even through multinational forces, while remaining in perfect working condition.

3) QBZ40

The QBZ40 series assault rifle: the world's first true assault rifle, the world's first weapons family, and a rifle that changed the world. At the first postwar grand parade — the 1945 review — infantry formations in camouflage, bearing QBZ40s, marched past the People's Square and the Pentagon in uniform, resolute step. What they delivered to Western military observers was nothing short of immense shock — and then more immense shock. For a long time after the war, footage of these parade formations hung like the Sword of Damocles in the minds of Western heads of state, becoming one of the iconic symbols of Chinese military (threat).

From the Type 19 to the N30, Chinese firearms gradually achieved independent development. Under normal circumstances, the N30 would have become China's next-generation standard weapon. But shortly after the N30's successful development, the N30 project lead at the Nanyang Institute was summoned to the capital. The Nanyang Institute then assembled its best personnel into a new firearms development team — the QBZ-1 group — with Chairman Chen Ke personally serving as advisor.

The QBZ-1 group's work proceeded extremely smoothly from the outset. Its core members all came from the N30 team and possessed rich experience in firearms development. The N30 also provided critical baseline data including barrel materials, giving the QBZ-1 a fast-track start. After completing the external design and receiving Chairman Chen Ke's approval, issues of materials and caliber were quickly resolved. The first prototype was produced in 1935.

After testing from north to south, from highlands to islands, the first prototype rapidly passed military acceptance. The military was highly satisfied with the QBZ-1 — not only for its reliable bolt action but especially for its exceptional performance under extreme conditions (severe cold, extreme humidity, and other harsh environments). After a series of rigorous — even punishing — tests at the Baicheng Weapons Testing Center, the test report was submitted to the Central Military Commission. Simultaneously, procurement orders from the General Armament Department landed on the Commission's desk and were quickly approved.

In fact, the Nanyang Institute had not agreed to the QBZ-1's production. The primary reason was that the QBZ-1 team believed the weapon had not perfectly met Chairman Chen Ke's requirements: issues with ergonomics, muzzle climb, and excessive recoil remained unsolved. But the military and the Central Military Commission both argued that under current conditions, the QBZ-1 already essentially met operational needs. Compared to standard-issue weapons in service with other nations at the time, the QBZ-1 possessed insurmountable advantages. Only after the military's repeated insistence did the Nanyang Institute finally consent to production — on the condition that the QBZ-1 would not receive a formal designation until the improvements were completed. The military agreed.

In 1937, the first batch of QBZ-1s began equipping front-line units. There was considerable debate within the Central Military Commission over which unit should receive them first. Some argued that such a powerful assault rifle should naturally go to the Capital Garrison first. But Chairman Chen Ke said only one thing at the meeting: "Is it only the Capital Garrison that can protect our safety?" The Chairman's word was final. The Taipei Military Region and Guangzhou Military Region were first to re-equip, followed by the Kunming and Chengdu Military Regions, then units stationed in Central Asia, then the northern armies, and finally — last of all — the Capital Garrison.

After the QBZ-1 entered finalized production, the Nanyang Institute continued its improvements, focusing on two main areas: materials and muzzle climb. These issues were all resolved by 1940. That year's production run of the QBZ-1 was formally designated the QBZ40 — the legendary QBZ40 that the world would come to know.

The units near the capital that re-equipped with the QBZ40 and were being dispatched to the front all participated in the "1940 National Day Parade," then immediately departed for the battlefield. This was the famous "Grand National Day Parade." Apart from the Founding Ceremony parade, when people speak of the "Grand National Day Parade," they invariably mean this one.

4) The QBZ40 Family

After the QBZ40 was formally finalized in 1940, modifications and extensions of the design never ceased, giving rise to a series of automatic rifles:

**QBZ40B** — In 1941, Chairman Chen Ke assembled elite frontline personnel (primarily from reconnaissance units) into an experimental Special Operations Battalion (the predecessor of China's modern special forces). At the battalion's request, a variant of the QBZ40 with a folding metal stock was developed, designated QBZ40B.

**QBZ40B-2** — A short-barrel version of the QBZ40B with folding metal stock. Produced in extremely limited quantities as an experimental weapon exclusively for special forces use.

**QBZ52** — A 5.8mm small-caliber improved variant of the QBZ40. The world's first small-caliber rifle to be mass-issued to troops. It made its debut at the 30th Anniversary National Day Parade. Until the 1970s, it was the sole standard-issue automatic rifle of the People's Liberation Army. Many nations were also licensed to produce and field it. Compatible with the domestically produced QL-54 under-barrel rifle grenade.

**QBZ52-2** — A short-barrel version of the QBZ52 with folding stock, extensively redesigned mechanical internals, and fitted with a specialized large flash suppressor to reduce muzzle flash and recoil.

**QBZ55** — A squad automatic weapon developed from the QBZ52 platform. Equipped with a long barrel, folding bipod, and compatible with standard 30/40-round QBZ40 magazines or a 75-round drum magazine. An improved variant, the QBZ55-2, was later introduced.

**QBZ57-W** — The export variant of the QBZ52, available in two versions: 5.56×45mm NATO and 5.8mm.

**QBZ45** — The most unusual member of the QBZ40 family: a 4.5mm competition sporting rifle. Since the founding of New China, the nation actively participated in international sporting events, including shooting competitions. To meet the needs of domestic competitive shooters, the Nanyang Institute used its N36 and QBZ40 as templates, combining the strengths of both to design this sporting rifle. Strictly speaking, it is an independent weapon type, but the Nanyang Institute adopted the QBZ series designation for convenience — and to facilitate marketing abroad.

Finally, the N36 semi-automatic rifle deserves one more mention. This rifle — world-famous abroad yet unheralded at home — also achieved its phoenix-like rebirth in 1940, fulfilling its ultimate destiny as a firearm. In 1938, to eliminate the last remaining German-system and Soviet-system weapons from the Chinese military, the Beijing Light Weapons Research Institute was tasked with developing a domestically produced sniper rifle. The Beijing Institute selected the internally renowned experimental rifle N36 as its foundation. After two years of development, the prototype was completed in May 1940: the KBU40.

The successful development of the KBU40 accomplished two things. First, it achieved complete domestic production of all military firearms. Second, the KBU40 — developed from the N36 platform — outperformed both the Type 19 and the Mosin-Nagant rifles previously in service. The military praised it profusely.

After the war, owing to the East-West Cold War, the KBU40 also found its way into other socialist allied nations, with a small number even reaching Western countries. When Western nations completed their thorough analysis of this sniper rifle, they were dismayed to discover that, aside from certain potential improvements in materials, its other performance characteristics were essentially impossible to improve upon. The Beijing Light Weapons Research Institute had pushed the KBU40 to the absolute limit of its design.