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LOT 402
Very Fine Three Digit Serial Number Tokyo Arsenal Baby Nambu
Semi-Automatic Pistol with Matching Magazine - Serial no. 883, 7 mm Nambu cal., 3 1/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood grips. Manufactured by the
Tokyo Arsenal from 1909 to 1928, the Baby Nambu was the semi-official officer’s pistol of the Imperial Japanese Military; officers would privately purchase their sidearms, with the Baby Nambu presented as the local alternative to imports from firms like Colt, FN and Walther. Fixed sights, with
the “stacked cannonball” arsenal marking on top of the chamber and the nomenclature markings and serial number on the right side of the frame. Fitted with checkered grips and a nickel finished,
alloy base magazine. All visible serial numbered components are matching, including the insides of the grips and the magazine.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% plus original blue finish with smooth brown patina mostly concentrated on the grip straps and leading edges with some light pitting, and 30% straw finish on the small components. Grips are also
very fine with some light handling marks and defined checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 403
Outstanding Japanese Navy Contract Tokyo Gas & Electric Model 1904 Papa Nambu Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial
no. 3089, 8 mm Nambu cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish,
checkered hardwood grips. This is one of the finest restored examples of a Papa Nambu pistol ever offered for sale by
Rock Island Auction Company. Forerunner of the Type 14 Nambu that would be the standard Japanese sidearm of World War II, the Papa Nambu was produced in relatively limited quantities. Approximately 4,600 Papa Nambu pistols
were manufactured c. 1906-1923 by the Tokyo Artillery Arsenal continuing in the same serial number range as the Grandpa Nambu, with an additional 5,700 reportedly manufactured c. 1909-1928 by Tokyo Gas & Electric. Blade front and tangent rear sights, with the circled “TGE” Tokyo Gas & Electric marking on the chamber, a Navy anchor and three-
symbol nomenclature above the serial number on the right side, straw finished small parts, smooth back strap, checkered and nickel finished magazine with alloy base. The magazi
“3067” (22 numbers off of the gun), with otherwise all matching visible serial numbered components on the
pistol.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 98% professionally restored blue
finish, 98% straw finish on the small components, with minimal handling marks and absolutely sharp grip checkering. Mechanically
excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
ne is numbered
LOT 404
Astra Model 900 Broomhandle Semi-Automatic Pistol with Shoulder Stock - Serial no. 27827, 7.63
mm Mauser cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This is an excellent Spanish Astra 900 semi-automatic pistol manufactured circa 1933. A large number of these were known to have been exported to Asia, especially China, prior to World War II; the Chinese market was hungry for handguns and carbines in general, with Broomhandle- pattern semi-autos especially popular. Blade front and 1000-meter tangent rear sights, with the left sideplate marked “”ASTRA” AUTOMATIC PISTOL CAL 763/PATENTED JULY. 12, 1928/Unceta y Compania GUERNICA (Spain)” over a set of three Japanese characters that translate approximately to “Made in Spain”. A number of Astra pistols were so marked
for a Japanese firm that intended to sell in China, though many are believed to have not made it over there. Spanish proofs are present on the right side of the frame, chamber and barrel. Matching numbers are present on the follower, magazine floorplate, the interior of the 12-groove grips and the grip frame. Included with the lot is a hardwood
shoulder stock (numbered to match inside the lid).
CONDITION: Excellent, with 98% of the original blue finish, showing
minor handling marks and
edge wear. The grips are also excellent, and the shoulder
stock is fine, with signs of
refinish on the steel hardware and mild
dings and chips on the wood; the replacement
attaching iron is oversized, not a good fit for the back
strap slot, and does not fully engage. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
375