Emergency use?

[Jim K.]

I encountered this "last ditch" rifle one on another site, and wonder if anyone can contribute some information. I admit that I had never heard of such a thing, but am always glad to learn. A Japanese tranlated the symbol on the receiver as "respond", "agree", "answer" or something along that line. A poster said it translated to "emergency use", meaning it was so dangerous that it should not be fired except in an emergency.

Pictures at:
http://www.japanesecollector.com/apps/photos/photo/prev?photoid=32860671

Discussion at:
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=398234

What say you?

Jim

[Michaelp]

I'd say the thread indicated pretty much covers it.
Sounds like an unusual piece.

I don't fire actual "last ditch" pieces because I don't have sense of invulnerability I once had as a young airborne troop.
Kinda like sneaking into the cave "to see if there's any old bears down there."
Would've been a good idea-long ago.