1015 FULLY TRANSFERABLE ORIGINAL JAPANESE TYPE 11 NAMBU

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 4,000.00 USD
Estimated at 8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
LMG. Cal. 6.5mm. S# 10522. Bbl. 20". Mfg. Jun. 1935. First brought into service in 1922, this was the first light machine gun that Japan had designed for themselves. As odd as it may appear compared to other guns of the period, it had some equally unusual features specific to Japan. The left-side mounted feed hopper utilizes clips originally intended for the standard Arisaka rifle. This allowed any Rifleman to feed it, in case of an unexpected shortage. Another unique feature was their interesting oiling station as they were being loaded. While it had the ability to run their standard 6.5mm ammo, a slightly reduced load was designed for daily use. The Type 11 utilizes a gas operated, open bolt system w/ an adjustable gas port. The barrel incorporates enormous circular cooling fins as evidence of being heavily inspired in design by the early French Hotchkiss heavy machine gun. These heavy fins measure almost 2" in diameter for the first 12" of barrel, beyond the chamber, and are reduced to .86" in the last 3" to the muzzle. Aside from the unique, heavily finned barrel, the Type 11 may be easiest identified by its right side, angular stock, which protrudes from the bottom of the rear facing pistol grip in a tubular manner before returning to a more traditional shoulder stock shape. The front 7" is steel, integral w/ the trigger group, before utilizing wood construction, ending w/ a heavy steel buttplate. This offset design allows for both right & left hand operation & allows an easier disassembly without having to remove the stock. Just rear of the front sight is a rear folding bipod w/ 17" legs. Front sight is a protected blade, offset to the right side of the action, to coincide w/ the rear sight, adjustable from 200 to 1500 meters. Receiver markings include the Japanese characters "Ju Ichi Nen Shiki" translating to "11th Year Type" above the serial number, "10522"on top, as well as "10.6" on right, indicating Showa Era year 10, 6th month translating to the manufacturing date of June, 1935 & the Kokura Arsenal manufacture symbol. Numbers matching the receiver on several visible parts. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Leather heat shield, photo copied operation manual in Japanese. CONDITION: Finish coverage on exposed metal surfaced is quite full. Light thinning on high spots & a gentle overall scattered patina fading to brown where expected. Wood section of stock illustrates some cracking, & chipping, w/ evidence of period correct repairs while retaining its structural integrity. Fire control parts move freely and the fire control mechanism appears to function correctly when cycled by hand. Bore is dark but retains strong rifling. NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT MG REQUIRING BATF TRANSFER BEFORE TAKING POSSESSION. FULLY TRANSFERABLE.(03-1736/JZ). CURIO CLASS III. $8,000-12,000.