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LOT 3422
Extremely Rare Chinese/Japanese Military Sugiura Shiki
Semi-Automatic Pistol with Matching Magazine - Serial
no. 2513, 7.65 mm auto cal., 4 1/4 inch round bbl., blue finish,
hardwood grips. Manufactured in China, factual data about
the Sugiura Shiki, or “Type Sugiura,” pistol is hard to come by,
however it is suggested that they were produced in late WWII by the Japanese in mainland China
and immediately after the Japanese surrender, the Chinese took over and continued to produce these on a limited basis.
Most likely the area of manufacture was occupied Manchuria/Manchukuo, with the North China Company in Beijing suggested
as a source. Showing significant parallels to Browning’s semi-automatic designs and the Spanish Ruby, the Sugiura operates
on a straight blowback action with a concealed hammer, and was manufactured in both 7.65mm and 6.35mm variants. Estimates
on production in “Japanese Military Cartridge Handguns 1893-1945” by Derby & Derby (pages 268-273) give only around 4000 Japanese-marked 7.65mm
variants, with 26 accounted for. The serial number on this example is not present on their list of known Sugiura pistols, suggesting that it is fresh and previously
unknown to the market. Blade front and notch rear sights, with a combination safety lever and takedown catch, three Japanese symbols on the right side of the frame,
checkered grips, and heel-mounted magazine catch. Matching full numbers are present on the slide
and frame, with matching “513” partial numbers on the underside of the slide, barrel, barrel bushing,
interior of the frame, and the right side of the magazine.
CONDITION: Very good plus, with 30% of the original blue finish, showing areas of brown patina,
spotting, wear and scratches. The grips are fine, with minor scuffs and dings. Mechanically excellent.
An extremely rare pistol absent from all but the most advanced World War II Japanese military
firearm collections.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 3424
Excellent Mauser Early Model 1930 Commercial Broomhandle Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 889848,
7.63 mm Mauser auto cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured by the Mauser firm c. 1932-
1934, the “early” Model 1930 commercial Broomhandle pistols incorporated a late “universal” safety, a newly shaped
hammer, and the use of late style markings and finish which began around serial number 875,000 as noted on page
144 of “System Mauser” by Breathed and Schroeder. These would be the first of the last, as the Model 1930 would
be the last model to the Broomhandle pistol manufactured by Mauser, with production ending in 1937. Features
fixed blade front and range-adjustable tangent rear (graduated from 50 to 1,000 meters) sights, color coded “F/S”
position indicators on the “universal” safety, the three-line Mauser address on top and the serial number on the left of the “crown/crown/U” proofed barrel extension, a “crown/crown/U” proof
on the bolt, a two-line Mauser address repeated on the right of the frame over the patent legend, and the Mauser “banner” on the left side. Matching partial “9848” serial numbers on the upper
lip of the frame and on the interior of the magazine floor plate. Fitted with a pair of un-numbered 12-groove ribbed walnut grips.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 97% plus bright original blue finish with some limited minor edge wear, a few small scattered specs of spotting/freckling, some brown coloration in the finish of
the barrel and frame, a few light handling marks, and crisp markings. The grips are also excellent with a few light compression marks. Mechanically excellent. Overall a very attractive example of a
Early Model 1930 Commercial Broomhandle pistol!
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 3423
Excellent Imperial Japanese Tokyo Arsenal Type B “Baby”
Nambu Semi-Automatic Pistol with Matching Magazine
- Serial no. 5207, 7 mm Nambu cal., 3 3/8 inch round bbl., blue/straw finish, checkered hardwood grips. Manufactured by the
Tokyo Arsenal as one of approximately 6,000 produced c. 1909-1929. The Type B “Baby” Nambu was developed in 1909 as a
smaller and improved version of the Type A, chambered for an equally smaller 7x20 mm Nambu cartridge. It served as the
semi-official officer’s pistol of the Imperial Japanese military at the time, though officers were required to purchase their
own side arms and the Type B Nambu was nearly double the price of contemporary import designs like those from Colt,
Fabrique Nationale, and Walther, leading to the pistol being unable to find widespread market success. Features fixed blade
front and notch rear sights, Tokyo Arsenal “stacked cannonballs” marking on top if the chamber, along with model nomenclature characters and
serial number marked on the right side of the frame. Fitted with a pair of checkered hardwood grips with matching “5207” serial numbers stamped on
the interiors and a nickel plated magazine with matching “5207” serial number on the back side.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 90% plus original blue finish and 80% straw colors with some scattered
very minor specks of spotting/pitting visible,
otherwise limited minor handling evidence and
clear markings. The grips are very fine with some
minor compression wear in the otherwise defined
checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Collection of Clive Cussler.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500