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LOT 3463
Excellent Tokyo Arsenal Baby Nambu
Semi-Automatic Pistol Rig with Holster -
Serial no. 4063, 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 a nickel finished magazine with alloy base. Included with the
lot is a reproduction brown leather clamshell holster.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 90% of the original blue finish, showing some light spotting and handling marks
overall. Grips and firing pin are unnumbered, magazine mixed numbered. The grips are fine, with a chip
absent from the top of the left panel and minor dings overall. Mechanically excellent. The holster is good,
with tearing of the ammo pocket flap and mild wear.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 3462
Exceptional Documented Imperial Japanese
Tokyo Arsenal Type A “Grandpa” Nambu Semi-
Automatic Pistol, Serial Number “66” - Serial no. 66, 8 mm Nambu
cal., 4 7/8 inch round bbl., blue/straw finish, hardwood grips. Designed
by Col. Kijiro Nambu in 1902 as a replacement for the Type 26 revolver and
one of approximately 2,400 manufactured by the Tokyo Arsenal c. 1903-
1906. The Type A “Grandpa” Nambu was the first of three variants found in
the recoil operated semi-automatic Imperial Japanese Nambu service pistol
series, with the inclusion of a slotted backstrap for use with a holster stock similar
to the Mauser C96. This specific pistol, serial number “66”, is described and
pictured on pages 21-22 of “Japanese Hand Guns” by Frederick E. Leithe, called
a “Nambu 1904 8mm Pistol”. Features fixed blade front and adjustable notch rear
(graduated from 100 to 500 meters) sights, aforementioned slotted backstrap, front
gripstrap safety, Tokyo Arsenal “stacked cannonballs” marking on top of the chamber,
along with the model marking characters and serial number on the right side. Fitted
with a pair of checkered hardwood grips with matching “66” serial number stamped on
the undersides and a early pattern nickel finished magazine with checkered hardwood base
numbered to another pistol.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 85% original blue finish and 70% plus straw colors
with some minor edge wear, some limited minor patches of pitting and freckling on the grip
straps along with thinning and brown patina, some plum coloration to the barrel, and minor
handling marks. The grips are also exceptionally fine with some minor handling wear in the
otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
As pictured & described in
Japanese Hand Guns by Leithe
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