1411 DOCUMENTED TOKYO ARTILLERY ARSENAL "TRANSITIONAL"

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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2025 Oct 30 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 4,000.00 USD
Estimated at 8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
TRANSITIONAL"MODEL 1902 "GRANDPA" NAMBU SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL WITH DESIRABLE REPRODUCTION SHOULDER STOCK/HOLSTER. Cal. 8mm Nambu. S# 2175. Bbl. 4 3/4". 1 approx. 2,400 Model 1902 "Grandpa" Nambu semi-automatic pistols mfg. at the Tokyo Artillery Arsenal. This example, designated as a "Transitional" variation by many collectors, was created utilized "Grandpa" and "Papa" parts and components at the arsenal, and is detailed (specifically mentioning the swivel lanyard loop, revised recoil spring guides, simplified mag. catch, concave cocking knob, modified firing pins, bolt locks, and bolts) on page 50 of "Japanese Military Cartridge Handguns 1893-1945" by Harry L. Derby III & James D. Brown. The top of the frame is marked with the Tokyo Artillery Arsenal insignia over the chamber, with Kanji characters denoting "Nambu Type" above the S# on the right. Metal components exhibit a reapplied blue finish overall, with some small parts exhibiting a reheated straw finish. Bolt and firing pin have been heavily cleaned and are in-the-white. Tangent rear sight leaf and slide are nitre blued. Frame is mounted with 2-piece reproduction checkered wood grips. Dovetailed blade front sight, with V-notch tangent rear sight, graduated 1-5. All serialized parts are matching and include the frame, trigger guard, trigger, recoil spring guide rod, bbl./bbl. extension, locking block, bolt, and firing pin. Striker spring guide / bolt lock, mag. release latch, ejector, and grips are of contemporary production, and are renumbered to match. A section of the cocking knob has been heavily machined on the interior face, with a notable section of material being absent. Rear spring slot on firing pin has been opened to accommodate a replacement spring. MAGS: 1 matching replated 8-rd. mag. Aluminum plug is either heavily cleaned or of contemporary production. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: desirable reproduction wood stock/holster with blued and nitre blued metal fittings. Holster contains a reproduction cleaning rod. Loop plate is missing 2 screws on the right side. CONDITION: metal components retain bountiful amounts of their reapplied blue finish, showing softening to the edges and original arsenal markings and varying degrees of pitting beneath the finish. Trigger and recoil spring guide rod show scattered spots of age related discoloration and light pitting. Dark pitted bore, retaining trace rifling throughout. Proper manual mechanics, although the bolt assembly occasionally gets caught approx. 1/8" from the frame. Grips show some light smoothing, but are otherwise excellent overall. Mag. shows scattered spots of pitting. Stock shows a few minor marks from handling and storage, but otherwise remains excellent overall. (25-3508/MLW). CURIO. $8,000-12,000.