1417 RARE TGE & TOKYO ARTILLERY ARSENAL MARKED MODIFIED

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1,000.00USDby d*******H (50060)
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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 1,000.00 USD
Estimated at 2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
MODEL 1902 "PAPA" NAMBU SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL. Cal. 8mm Nambu. S# 8262. Bbl. 4 3/4". Model 1902 Modified "Papa" Nambu semi-automatic pistol mfg. by TGE (Tokyo Gas & Electric) and the Tokyo Artillery Arsenal. After the adoption of the Type 14 Nambu in 1925, the Tokyo Artillery Arsenal transferred all existing parts, tooling, and dies to TGE, as TGE became responsible for the Imperial Japanese army's "Papa" Nambu production. Subsequent to the Type 14 Nambu's adoption, demand for the "Papa" decreased significantly, with approx. 500 pistols assembled by TGE from Tokyo Arsenal parts before production was terminated. These approx. 500 pistols, are unique in TGE production, as they were made utilizing Tokyo Arsenal frames, and as such are dual marked with both mfg.'s insignias. This example is marked with Kanji characters on the left side of the frame denoting "Army Type", with the encircled "TGE" logo marked over the top of the chamber. Right side of the frame is marked with the Tokyo Artillery Arsenal insignia, followed by Kanji characters denoting "Nambu Type" above the S#. Metal components exhibit a reapplied blue finish overall, with some small parts exhibiting a reheated straw finish. Bolt and firing pin are polished in-the-white. Frame is mounted with 2-piece checkered wood grips, the left panel featuring coarse style checkering, and the right wider style checkering. Dovetailed blade front sight with V-notch tangent rear sight, graduated 1-5. Nearly all serialized parts are matching and include the frame, trigger guard, mag. latch button body, bbl./bbl. extension, locking block, and ejector. Recoil spring guide, firing pin, cocking knob, and striker pin guide have been renumbered to match. Grips are unnumbered. MAGS: 1 non-matching (S# "4804") plated 8-rd. mag., with aluminum plug. CONDITION: metal components retain the majority of their reapplied blue finish, showing some spots of light wear and thinning, with varying degrees of pitting present overall. Strawed parts are very good overall. Bore exhibits consistent mild to moderate pitting, while retaining good rifling throughout. Proper manual mechanics, save for the mag., which does not lock the bolt rearward. Grips show areas of smoothing, as well as some scattered marks from handling and storage, with the left panel exhibiting a chip in the top left corner. (25-3512/MLW). CURIO. $2,000-3,000.