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LOT 1396
Exceptional and Scarce Tokyo Arsenal Baby Nambu Semi-Automatic
Pistol with Matching Magazine - Serial no. 2225, 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 cannonballs” Tokyo Arsenal marking on top of the chamber and the nomenclature markings and serial number on the right side of the frame. Fitted with checkered hardwood grips and a matching numbered nickel finished alloy base magazine. All matching visible serial numbers including the underside of both grip panels.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 90% plus original blue finish with a few isolated spots of light edge wear and some areas of smooth brown patina on the grip straps. The grips are very fine, with a chipped section on the top edge of the left panel, and otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 1397
Chinese Shansei Arsenal Style .45 ACP
Broomhandle Pistol with Holster Stock -
Serial no. 941, 45 ACP cal., 5 1/2 inch round
bbl., blue finish, hardwood grips. One of
the most popular handguns in China, the
Mauser Broomhandle would become one of
the signature weapons of the Second Sino-
Japanese War, with both original and Chinese
arsenal manufactured Broomhandles extensively used by both the Nationalist and Communist forces against the Japanese (and later against each other).
This style of Broomhandle is associated with the Nationalist-run Shansei Arsenal, upscaling the classic Broomhandle design to the .45 ACP cartridge, which was readily available due to American material support against Japan. The right side of the frame is marked with a series of Chinese characters, and the left side has the Chinese factory markings. It has the same standard barrel mounted blade front and tangent rear sights, graduated to 1,000 meters. It is fitted with the late style small ring hammer, old style safety lever, and grooved hardwood grips. The visible external serial numbers are all matching. The butt has a stud for a lanyard loop. This particular example, writer believes to be one of the much later produced examples in China. Navy Arms Company import marked. Includes a wood combination shoulder stock/holster and a stripper clip. CONDITION: Very good, with 30% of the faded blue finish. The crude grips are also very good with some light dents and handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Included stock holster is very
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good as refinished, with an absent retaining latch. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 1398
Desirable Leather Clamshell Holster for a Japanese Baby Nambu Semi- Automatic Pistol - Constructed from brown leather with brass fittings, this holster follows the general pattern of early Imperial Japanese Nambu holsters, though appropriately scaled down for the Baby Nambu. The “stacked cannonballs” Tokyo/Kokura arsenal symbol is stamped inside the flap. A small pouch with 14 individual cartridge loops is present, protected by the main flap, and a loop for a cleaning rod (not included) in the interior. CONDITION: Very fine overall, with some light age related wear. Very seldom encountered separate of a pistol! Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750