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LOT 1351
Scarce Tokyo Arsenal Baby Nambu Semi-Automatic Pistol with Holster - Serial no. 2529, 7 mm Nambu cal., 3 1/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood grips.
Manufactured at the Tokyo Artillery Arsenal in Koishikawa, Tokyo, the Baby Nambu was the “unofficial” officer’s pistol of the Imperial Japanese
LOT 1353
Tokyo Gas & Electric Naval Contract Model 1904 “Papa Nambu” Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 4242, 8 mm Nambu cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood grips. Produced by the Tokyo Gas and Electric Company, with the “GTE” marking on the chamber, a Navy anchor and the serial number with Kanji model markings on the right side of the one-piece frame, and a pair of Kanji markings on the left. Illegible red painted markings on the left grip panel. Fixed front and tangent rear sights, serrated cocking piece, grip safety on the front strap, lanyard swivel, checkered grips, matching numbers on various components beside the arsenal replacement firing pin and firing pin retainer,
Army; protocol of the time was for officers to buy their own kit, with 32 caliber American and European automatics being popular. The Baby Nambu provided a homegrown alternative. Fixed sights, with the four intertwined cannon balls of the Tokyo Arsenal on top of the chamber, serrated cocking piece, and
checkered grips. The firing pin is unnumbered, but the other components, including the grip panels and the nickel finished magazine are numbered to match the frame. Included with the pistol is a brown leather flap holster; while originally made for a different model pistol and altered to accept the Baby Nambu, it is of the style typically associated with Japanese officer’s pistols. CONDITION: Fine, with 50% of the original blue finish, showing numerous scattered areas of pitting, bright edge wear, areas of brown patina and mild handling marks. The otherwise fine checkered grips have a crack forming in the right panel and mild dings and chips. The holster is good, with mild scuffing and staining. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 1352
Scarce Tokyo Arsenal Baby Nambu Semi- Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 3167, 7 mm cal., 3 1/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, checkered hardwood grips. Manufactured at the Tokyo Artillery Arsenal in Koishikawa,
Tokyo, the Baby Nambu was the “unofficial” officer’s pistol of the Imperial Japanese Army; protocol of the time was for officers to buy their own kit, with 32 caliber American and European automatics being popular. The Baby Nambu provided a homegrown alternative. Fixed sights, with the four intertwined cannon balls of the Tokyo Arsenal on top of the chamber, serrated cocking piece, and checkered grips. The firing pin is mixed numbered, but the other components, including the grip panels and the “.” marked nickel finished magazine are numbered to match the frame. CONDITION: Very good, with 30% of the original blue, showing areas of pitting on top of the frame and near the muzzle, areas of brown and gray patina, and mild spotting and handling marks. The grips are fine, with crisp checkering and some minor chips and dings. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
and a nickel finished magazine numbered “759” with an alloy base. CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% arsenal refurbished blue and straw finish with extensive scattered patches of moderate pitting and smooth brown patina, and defined markings. Grips are good with some light wear, one small crack on the bottom of the right panel, and clear checkering. Mechanically fine, aside from the trigger sometimes not properly resetting upon cocking. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 1354
Tokyo Arsenal Model 1904 “Papa Nambu” Semi-Automatic Pistol -
Serial no. 4943, 8 mm 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 “5286”. CONDITION: Very good, with 60% of the arsenal refurbished blue finish, with a dull
gray patina and significant pitting on the gripstraps, areas of brown patina on the frame, and scattered spotting and handling marks. The barrel extension has been arsenal renumbered to match the frame, the firing pin is mixed numbered, magazine catch button is a crude replacement, and the right grip panel is blank. The grips are good, with some minor chips and dings. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750 309