Page 222 - 87-BOOK3

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 is mixed and the firing pin unnumbered, with the other components matching. Two books are included with the lot; “Hand Cannons of Imperial Japan” by Derby (which includes the S/N of this pistol on the list of known examples) and “Japanese Handguns”
by Leithe.
CONDITION: Fine, with a spot of cold blue visible on the right side of the barrel and frame, and the remainder showing 70% of the original blue, with a brown patina forming on the gripstraps, and mild spotting and handling marks overall. The grips are also fine, with some dents visible on the otherwise sharp checkering.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 3397
FN Model 1910 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Japanese Officer Holster - Serial no. 470378,
7.65 mm auto cal., 3 1/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, plastic grips. Introduced in 1910 with fixed sights, the 2-line address/ patent dates on the slide, Belgian proofs, and checkered “FN” grips. The pistol includes a Japanese style brown leather and pigskin flap holster. The holster has two steel suspension loops on the back and a replacement magazine for
a 7.65mm Sauer pocket pistol in a
front pouch. Officers in the Japanese
military privately purchased their
own sidearms, with Browning patent
pocket pistols being a popular option.
Some Japanese purchased FN 1910 pistols
are known to have a Kanji mark, with reported examples in the 369000-456000 serial range, with commercial examples outside of that serial range and without the Kanji mark, as on this example, known to also be possible Japanese purchased pistols.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 95% plus original blue finish, showing some mild spotting and very shallow pitting overall, along with some bright edge wear and mild handling marks. The grips are fine, with some minor chipping and wear, and the holster is very good, with some minor stains and scuffs. Mechanically excellent.
220 Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3398
Documented Tokyo Arsenal Model 1904 “Papa Nambu” Semi-Automatic Pistol -
Serial no. 3267, 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 numbered “6682”. Listed by serial number on
page 59 of “Hand Cannons of Imperial Japan” by Derby
CONDITION: Fine, with 60% of the arsenal refurbished
blue finish, showing areas of pitting, sections of gray
and brown patina, edge wear and mild handling marks.
The grips are good, with dents and scuffs overall, plus
traces of what may have been a Japanese “3” painted on the right panel. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3399
Excellent World War II
Japanese Nagoya Type
14 Nambu Semi-Automatic Pistol with Holster - Serial no. 88318, 8 mm Nambu cal., 4 1/2 inch
round bbl., blue finish, hardwood grips. Blade front
and notch rear sights, “18.9” Showa date (September
1943) on the right, with a full blue finish, knurled
cocking knob, ribbed grip and alloy base magazine.
Matching serial numbers visible on various components,
including the firing pin, trigger guard, trigger, and inside
of the grip panels. The magazine currently in the gun is numbered “001”. Includes a brown leather clamshell holster, cleaning tools, lanyard, and extra magazine.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% original blue finish with a few areas of minor surface freckling. Grips are also excellent with some light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Included holster is very good. Provenance: The Paul Crockett Jr. Collection.
Estimate: 850 - 1,200
LOT 3396
Scarce Documented
Tokyo Arsenal Baby Nambu Semi-
Automatic Pistol with Two Reference
Books - Serial no. 5344, 7 mm Nambu cal., 3
LISTED BY SERIAL IN THE BOOK THE HAND CANNONS OF IMPERIAL JAPAN BY DERBY
LISTED BY SERIAL IN THE BOOK THE HAND CANNONS OF IMPERIAL JAPAN BY DERBY