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LOT 1391
Tokyo Arsenal Baby Nambu Semi-Automatic Pistol with Holster, Extra Magazine, and
Attribution to a U.S. Army Major General - Serial no. 684, 7 mm Nambu cal., 3 1/4 inch round
bbl., blue finish, checkered 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 two nickel finished, alloy base magazines. The magazines are mixed
numbered (one, “674/.”, is close enough that it could conceivably have been an accidental
swap in the field), and the firing pin is unnumbered; otherwise, numbers are matching overall,
including inside the grip panels. Included with the pistol is a brown leather clamshell holster. Consignor-
supplied information states that this pistol rig was the personal property of a Brigadier General Jack
S. Blocker; born in Birmingham and educated at the University of Florida, Blocker began his service
career in 1941, serving with IV and XIV Corps in the Pacific, participating in the Solomon Island and
Philippine Island campaigns, as well as the post-war occupation of Japan where this weapon was
physically acquired. His career continued until 1969, with duty in West Germany and
South Korea.
CONDITION: Fine, with 75% of the original blue finish, showing extensive scattered rust
oxidization overall with heavier concentrations around the magazine well and some pitting
under the grips, bright edge wear, and some minor dings and handling marks. The grips are
also fine, with a few mild dings. The holster is very good, with detached stitching on lower belt
loop, some scuffs, and cracking. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
LOT 1392
Very Scarce Documented Tokyo Arsenal Model 1902 Grandpa Nambu Semi-
Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 224, 8 mm Nambu cal., 4 5/8 inch round bbl., blue finish,
hardwood grips. Forerunner of the Type 14 Nambu that would be the standard Japanese
sidearm of World War Two, the Grandpa Nambu was produced in relatively limited quantities,
being phased out for the “Papa” Nambu design. Blade front and tangent rear sights, with the
“stacked cannonball” Tokyo mark on the chamber, 3-symbol nomenclature on the right side, serrated
bolt sides, frontstrap grip safety, checkered hardwood grips and a nickel finished magazine marked “2088” with a wood
base. With the exception of the aforementioned magazine, numbers are matching overall, including the grips. The serial
number for this pistol is listed on page 44 of Derby’s “Hand Cannons of Imperial Japan”.
CONDITION: Fine, showing 75% of the arsenal refurbished blue finish, with pitting overall (heavy under the grip panels,
shallow and scattered on the visible components), mild
spotting, edge wear and handling marks. The grips
are also fine, with minor chipping
on the left panel around the
magazine catch and a few light
dings on the crisp checkering.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 1393
Naval Marked Japanese
Tokyo Gas and Electric
“Papa” Nambu Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 4101,
8 mm cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, checkered
hardwood grips. Forerunner of the Type 14 Nambu that would
be the standard Japanese sidearm of World War II, the Grandpa
Nambu was produced in relatively limited quantities before the Papa
Nambu was introduced. Blade front and tangent rear sights, with the “GTE”
Tokyo Gas & Electric mark on the chamber, 3-symbol nomenclature on
the right side, “naval anchor” on right rear side, straw finished small parts,
smooth backstrap, checkered and nickel finished magazine with alloy base.
Matching numbers are present overall, including on the grips
and magazine.
CONDITION: Very fine, with 85% of the arsenal refurbished blue finish,
showing scattered spotting, areas of brown and gray patina, and
mild handling marks overall. 70% of the bright straw color is present,
concentrated on the trigger, with a dull tone to the extractor and sear. The
grips are fine, with some scuffs and dings. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LISTED BY SERIAL NUMBER
IN THE HAND CANNONS OF
IMPERIAL JAPAN BY DERBY