Huangfu TB.57

The Huangfu TB.57, (: 1957年式突击步枪; : 1942 1957 Niánshì Tújí Bùqiāng; lit.: '1942 Year Type Assault Rifle'), a Kodeshi designed in the 1950s and used during later stages of the Great Kesh War, it used in very limited numbers until the end of the war.

History
The origin of this rifle can be traced back to the final years of the Great Kesh War when Huangfu engineers saw the developments of it's ally Akiteiwa's Type 1 Light Automatic Rifle in 1954 along with later reports in the field of the Song Model 1956 created by Kaya led to the calls for a domestically developed assault rifle.

The TB.57 was designed to fire one of the first purpose-designed entirely-new intermediate cartridges, designed to a requirement as a result of combat experience and in the Kesh War. The round, the 7.25x38mm, was designed to replace the heavier 7.25x60mm, which dated to the late 19th century. The TB.57 was intended to replace the Liao-Fang Rifle and Namgung M.38 Rifle along with the Shangyu C.42 submachinegun, while the Namgung M.67 would replace the Xiabei M.43 and M.30 machine guns.

Design
The TB.57 has a long-stroke gas piston mounted above the barrel, and a flapper-locking system. Two flaps were mounted in the bolt carrier, and would pivot out to engage locking recesses in the receiver when in battery. The weapon is fed from a 20-round box magazines. The flapper locking system is well sealed against dirt and dust. The safety was located in the front of the trigger guard, and the magazines were of the “rock-n-lock” variety.

Variants

 * Huangfu TB.57Y
 * Y = 原型; Yuánxíng ("Prototype")
 * The very earliest limit run pre-production prototype trials models, feature fixed wooden stock and twin wooden pistol-style grips, are now very rare.


 * Huangfu TB.57B
 * B = 標準; Biāozhǔn ("Standard")
 * This is the standard-issue version of the rifle, introduced in 1957 and approved in 1959. It had a wooden stock and handguard.


 * Huangfu TB.57K
 * K = 卡賓槍; Kǎbīnqiāng ("Carbine")
 * This is the carbine variant uses a shorter 206.5 mm (8.1 in) barrel (this forced designers to simultaneously reduce the gas piston operating rod to an appropriate length). Due to the shortening of the operating mechanism the cyclic rate of fire rose slightly to around 700-735 rounds per minute. This was intended to replace the C.42 and for use by ground vehicle and aircraft crews.


 * Huangfu TB.57QJ
 * QJ = 輕機槍; Qīng jīqiāng ("Light machine gun")
 * This is the heavy barrelled light machine gun (LMG) version of standard TB.57 with bipod, carrying handle and full metal hand-guard with ventilation ports. It has a larger 40-round box magazines.


 * Huangfu TB.57G-1
 * G = 改; Gǎi ("modified")
 * Modernised variant of the TB.57B. Changes included a new lightweight green polymer pistol grip and handguard. Fixed stock replaced with a lightweight folding-stock, charging handle is improved for better ambidextrous use.


 * Huangfu TB.57KG-1
 * K = 卡賓槍; Kǎbīnqiāng ("Carbine"); ::G = 改; Gǎi ("modified")
 * This is the modernised carbine variant features the same changes with lightweight green polymer pistol grip, handguard and folding-stock.


 * Huangfu TB.57JSBG-1
 * JSB = 精確射手步槍; Jīngquè shèshǒu bùqiāng ("Marksman Rifle"); ::G = 改; Gǎi ("modified")
 * This is the designated marksman rifle version based on the TB.57G-1. It includes a longer receiver, a beefed-up barrel extension and barrel profile to reduce whip and improve accuracy, and an enhanced with a bipod, precision stock and detachable optical sight which enables area targets to be engaged at ranges upwards of 1,300 m (1,422 yd); effective ranges in combat situations have been stated at between 600 to 1,300 m (656 to 1,422 yd), depending on the nature of the target (point or area target) quality of ammunition and skill of the shooter.

Current Users

 * Kodeshia - Main user. TB.57 is currently the main service rifle in the Imperial Kodeshi Army.

Past Users

 * Alva - Captured through smuggling routes passing through the Alvak-occupied Kodeshi Sector during the Great Kesh War.
 * Selengeria - Captured during the Great Kesh War.
 * Tiperyn - Captured during the Great Kesh War.