1477 IMPERIAL JAPANESE TOKYO ARSENAL "PAPA" NAMBU

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 750.00 USD
Estimated at 1,500.00 - 2,250.00 USD
SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL. Cal. 8mm Nambu. S# 6105. Bbl. 4 3/4". "Papa" Nambu semi-automatic pistol mfg. at the Tokyo Arsenal circa 1902–1915 The left side of the frame is marked with 2 Kanji characters denoting "Army Type" (even though the Imperial Japanese Army never adopted the Papa Nambu), with the Tokyo arsenal insignia marked over the top of the chamber, and with Kanji characters marked on the right above the S#, denoting the model designation. The right grip panel exhibits the remainder of two indiscernible Kanji characters in white paint. Major metal components exhibit a blue finish, with some smaller components exhibiting a strawed finish. The frame is mounted with 2-piece checkered wood grips. The left grip panel is a replacement. Blade front sight with tangent V-notch rear sight. Matching numbers are present on the frame, bbl. extension, locking block, recoil spring guide rod, and cocking knob. Bolt lock is mismatched, and the firing pin is unnumbered (the latter not being unusual for Tokyo Arsenal mfg. Papa Nambus). MAGS: 1 8-rd (S# 5019). CONDITION: metal components retain large amounts of their original factory blue finish, exhibiting areas of wear and thinning that show through to gray patina, with scattered spots of light to mild surface oxidation and pitting overall. Strawed components exhibit wear and thinning, with worn areas exhibiting spots of darker age-related discoloration. Very bright bore, exhibiting light pitting and good rifling throughout. Grips exhibit some smoothing and a few handling marks, but are otherwise good overall. PROVENANCE: the collection of Curtis H. Halvorson. (23-5866/MLW). CURIO. $1,500-2,250.