Wartime History
This gun has at least two small arms strikes. Captured during the war and taken to Australia.

Rod Bellars adds:
"gun is believed to have been one of three brought back by Australian troops possibly from Sanada. One ended life as a target on a range in ACT area and remains are believed to be at AWM [75mm AA Gun 1000?]. Another was stripped to parts and reassembled at Marybinong Victoria and subsequently scrapped. Mine is believed to have been a garden gnome many years at St Mary's Ammo store NSW before being sold for scrap."

Recovery
Displayed as a park decorator at St Mary's Ammo store NSW until the 1980s, before being sold as scrap. Purchased by two owners, finally aquired by collector Rod Bellars.

Wreckage
Traces of original camoflage paint remain on the gun. Bellars has restored the breech block.

Rod Bellars adds on May 12, 2009:
"For the first time the gun was fitted again with its breach block and after three days of cleaning and fitting it slides like new again although a lot of work still has to be done fitting and cleaning the orifices. I believe the gun originally was a capture one of three brought back probably from Sanada going on AWM information. I have finally started work on it replacing the outriggers now folding like new etc. considering it was outside for 50 years the bore and chamber show little rust damage and most light pits will polish out like new again just as usual a lot of work. i will first restore and fit breach gear and then remove barrel and dumbell to do ground up restoration protecting as much original paint as possible."

References
Thanks to Rod Bellars for additional information

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Last Updated
April 19, 2021