Page 283 - 87-BOOK2

LOT 1362
Scarce Tokyo Arsenal Baby Nambu Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 5877,
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. Numbers are matching overall, including
on the magazine (with “*” extra magazine mark) and inside the grip panels.
CONDITION: Very fine, with 80% of the original blue finish, showing a gray patina on the gripstraps, areas of cold blue touch up visible on the barrel and upper areas of the frame, bright edge wear and mild handling marks. The grips are also very fine, with a few dings on the crisp checkering. Mechanically very good.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1363
Desirable Tokyo Gas & Electric Papa Nambu Semi-
Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 558, 8 mm cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood
grips. Produced in limited quantities, the “Papa”
Nambu was the predecessor to the Nambu Pistol, so nicknamed
for being 1 generation ahead from the Type 14 Nambu, Imperial Japan’s usage of this sidearm continued through World War II. This particular pistol was reworked by the Imperial Japanese Navy, with an
“anchor” stamp applied to the right side near the serial number and the stock slot in the backstrap filled in. Produced by the Tokyo Gas and Electric
Company under military contract, with the “GTE” marking on the chamber,
model markings on the right side over the serial number and a pair of Kanji
markings on the left side. Fitted with fixed front and tangent rear sights,
serrated cocking piece with a replacement unnumbered knurled bolt
cover, grip safety on the front strap, lanyard swivel, checkered contoured grips and a correct replacement nickel magazine with checkered aluminum base.
CONDITION: Very fine, with 75% of the
arsenal refurbished blue finish, showing mild spotting and handling marks overall, moderate to deep pitting concentrated on the gripstraps and barrel, and mild edge wear. The grips are also very fine, with some mild dents. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 1364
Tokyo Arsenal Baby Nambu Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial
no. 1621, 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. The magazine, firing pin spring guide and grips are mixed, firing pin unnumbered, and the other components matching.
CONDITION: Fine, with 70% of the blue finish, showing a gray patina on the gripstraps, extensive scattered light pitting, and mild handling marks. The grips are also fine, with some dents on the crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 1365
Documented Tokyo Arsenal Model 1904 “Papa Nambu” Semi-Automatic
Pistol - Serial no. 6275, 8 mm Nambu cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood grips. Manufactured on an Army
contract, with the “stacked cannonball” arsenal marking on the chamber region. Block base dovetailed “inverted V” front and tangent
rear sights. The back strap is smooth, with a straw finished trigger, serrated cocking knob, “one piece” style frame, checkered grips, and a nickeled
alloy base magazine. Numbers are matching overall, including on the grip
panels and the spine of the magazine. This pistol, prior to restoration, is
photographed on page 52 of “The Hand Cannons of Imperial Japan” by
Harry Derby.
CONDITION: Fine, with 80% of the professionally restored blue, showing
areas of mixed gray patina, bright edge wear, and mild spotting and
handling marks overall. The grips are
good, with a glue-mended chip in
the interior of the right panel, and
the serial number on the magazine
appears double-struck.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE HAND CANNONS OF IMPERIAL JAPAN BY DERBY
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