Howa Machinery, Ltd. (豊和工業株式会社) is a Japanese machinery manufacturer known internationally for their production of military and civilian firearms. They also manufacture products such as machine tools, sweeping vehicles and windows and doors.

History

Toyoda's Loom Works, Ltd. (豊田式織機株式会社) was established by Sakichi Toyoda in February 1907. In 1941, Toyoda's Loom Works merged with Showa Heavy Industries (昭和重工業株式会社) and was renamed Howa Heavy Industries, Ltd. (豊和重工業株式会社). The company was renamed to its current name at the end of World War II and restarted manufacturing textile machinery.

Weapon manufacturing

Military use

Toyoda's Loom Works began manufacturing armaments in 1932.

During World War II

Since 1940, Howa has been heavily involved in the Japanese armaments industry, and was involved in manufacturing the famous Arisaka rifle series including Type 99 rifle, parts of Type 38 rifle, artillery pieces, airplane parts, and ammunition. Many of their World War II-era weapons are highly sought after collectors' items.

Post WWII

Howa created copies of the US M1 Garand and the M1 carbine for the Japanese Self Defense Forces during the early days of the Cold War. Howa also designed and manufactured firearms for JGSDF use, including the following types (models): During the early 1970s, Howa produced the AR-18 and AR-180 5.56mm assault rifle as a license from Armalite Inc. of Costa Mesa, California, which marketed the rifle to various military forces. Japanese government restrictions on the sales of military small arms to foreign countries eventually forced Howa to cease production of the AR-18/AR-180, moving production back to Armalite.

Civilian use

Howa has produced a long line of civilian hunting and target practice rifles in a range of calibers. Howa has also manufactured products or components for other firearm companies, such as Mossberg, Smith & Wesson, and Weatherby. The Smith & Wesson Model 1000 shotgun of the 1970s and 1980s was designed and manufactured by Howa.

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