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LOT 429
Scarce Japanese Tokyo Arsenal Baby Nambu Semi-Automatic Pistol with Extra Magazine and Medal - Serial no. 2835, 7 mm Nambu Auto 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. 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. Two nickel-plated magazines are included; one numbered “692” and the other
matching “2835/.”, indicating a matching spare magazine. The firing pin is unnumbered, but multiple other components, including both grip panels, are numbered to match. Included with the lot is a medal
for the Order of the Rising Sun, Seventh Class.
CONDITION: Very fine, with 80% of the original blue finish, showing some small patches of shallow pitting
on the frame and bolt, mild spotting on the grip straps, and mild handling marks and edge wear overall. 60% straw finish is present on the trigger, with some mild dings and scuffs on the otherwise very fine grips.
Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 430
Scarce Japanese Tokyo Gas and Electric “Papa” Nambu Semi-Automatic Pistol with Extra Magazine and Medal - Serial no. 571, 8 mm Nambu cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood
grips. Forerunner of the Type 14 Nambu that would be the standard
Japanese sidearm of World War Two, the Grandpa Nambu was produced in relatively limited quantities before the Papa Nambu was
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introduced. Blade front and tangent rear sights, with the “GTE” Tokyo
Gas & Electric mark on the chamber, 3-symbol nomenclature on the right side, straw finished small parts, smooth back strap, and nickel finished magazine with alloy base,
and an extra magazine. Mixed numbers are present on the firing pin spring guide and both magazines, otherwise all visible numbers are matching. Also included with the group
is the Russo-Japanese War variant of the Japanese Medal of Honor.
CONDITION: Fine, with 70% of the original blue finish, showing mild pitting on the grip
straps and light spotting elsewhere, along with mild edge wear and handling marks. The small parts retain about 40% of the original straw color, with a mixed gray patina on the remainder. The grips are also fine, with some dings and flat spots on the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 431
World War II Japanese Military Nagoya Arsenal Type 14 Nambu Semi- Automatic Pistol with Holster, Attributed as an American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) War Trophy - Serial no. 7531, 8 mm Nambu Auto cal., 4 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood grips. Blade front and notch rear sights, with the “7,6” Showa date (June 1932) on the right side, straw finished small parts, and ribbed grips. Fixed sights, with a full blue finish, knurled cocking knob, ribbed grip and nickel alloy base finished magazine. Matching numbers are present on many components, including the firing pin, trigger guard, magazine and the grip panels. Includes a brown leather clamshell holster and a photocopy of a letter from a Wilford “Willie” Jenkins, who identifies himself as a member of the Flying Tigers and this pistol by serial number as his personal property. Per Jenkins’ narrative, this pistol was recovered from a Japanese trooper who attempted an attack on their airfield and managed to damage a few aircraft before being gunned down; Jenkins was given credit for the kill shot, and took the pistol and holster as a trophy. The claims of Jenkins’ narrative have not been verified, nor his status as a Flying Tiger. CONDITION: Excellent, with 95% of the original blue finish, showing some light handling marks and scattered mild spotting. About 75% of the bright original straw color is present on the small parts. The grips are very fine, with mild dents and scuffs, and the holster shows mild cracking and scuffing. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,500 - 2,250