Type 92 Japanese Machine Gun Ammunition Belt (7.7x58mm) — Mixed Rounds — Partial Original Box

Overview:
Original WWII-era ammunition belt for the Japanese Type 92 heavy machine gun. The belt holds 7.7 mm cartridges on a metal link strip. A cardboard storage box is included but is partial/half only (not a full box).

Details:

Caliber: ~7.7x58 mm (Type 92 series)

Format: Metal linked strip with cartridges in place

Condition: Good for age — brass and bullets show honest patina; link strip intact. Paper box present but partial (see photos).

Ammunition / Identification Notes (inserted paragraph):
Color pattern: The photos show regularly alternating red and dark (black) neck lacquer rings on the cartridges. In WWII practice such lacquer rings were commonly used to distinguish round types (for example, tracer, AP, or different production/charge batches). The regular alternating arrangement strongly resembles a belting “recipe” — i.e., inserting a special round every few rounds.

Historical/tactical context: The Type 92 and other WWII machine guns commonly used a mix such as ball + tracer or ball + AP + tracer to provide suppression, observation, and the ability to engage light armor.

Appearance & preservation: The bullet shapes match typical Japanese 7.7 mm characteristics; there are no visible signs of modern alteration or heavy repainting, consistent with wartime or postwar inventory condition.

Likelihood ranking (most to least likely):

Most likely: Ball + Tracer — the most common belting pattern.

Next likely: Ball + Tracer + AP — if the dark/black rings denote AP rounds.

Less likely (but not impossible): the color rings are merely preservative lacquer / batch marks rather than true type indicators.

Why mixed belts were used (brief):
Mixed belts allowed gunners to both observe fire (tracers), suppress targets (ball), and have some capability against light armor (AP) without changing belts — a practical wartime compromise.

Safety & Legal Notice:
This item contains live ammunition and is offered primarily for collection/display. Do not assume the rounds are safe to fire. If firing is intended, cartridges must be inspected and approved by a qualified gunsmith or ammunition specialist. Buyer is responsible for compliance with all local, state/provincial and federal laws and carrier regulations. Shipment/transfer only in accordance with those laws and rules.