Can anyone provide any information on this old Japanese pistol and accessories?

[Joe Mamma]

I am posting this for someone I know. Can anyone provide any information on this old Japanese (or maybe it's Chinese) pistol and accessories. I would also appreciate a guess as to the relative value of these.

















Thanks in advance.

Joe Mamma

 

[bigfatdave]

Looks like a Nambu, I'm sure someone with more knowledge will be along shortly to give you more detail.
It may be a type 14, this picture on Wikipedia looks a lot like the pistol you have posted.

Interestingly, the Nambu design has some elements surviving in Ruger's line of .22 semi-auto pistols, while besides grip angle, they [Rugers] have very little to do with the Luger design as is commonly thought.

 

[bigfatdave]

Is it chambered in 8x22mm? I don't see any caliber markings, but I don't know what the convention was in WWII era Japan.

 

[Radagast]

Looks like a type 14 to me, which means it is quite valuable in that condition. See this earlier thread: http://ww.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=459734

 

[KenWP]

That was my first thought looked like a knock-off Ruger. They sure didn't waste money on trying to get rid of the machine marks did they.

 

[SDC]

Exactly, a very nice condition Type 14 Nambu, made all the more vasluable by the holster, cleaning rod, and spare firing pin (these pistols were known for breaking pins in use, so they included a spare at the factory). Your pistol was made at or for the Nagoya Arsenal in August, 1943 (the "18.8" means the 8th month of the 18th year of Hirohito's reign, which started in 1925).

 

[JoeMal]

That's a sharp looking pistol

 

[Jim Watson]

Agreed, a nice outfit. You might check closed auctions on GunBroker.com and AuctionArms.com to see what they are selling for.

18.8 is the 18th year of the Showa regime, 8th month. August 1943.

I think the maker's mark in front of the serial number is Chuo Kogyo rather than Nagoya, though.

 

[Joe Mamma]

Wow, thank you for the information and links. Please keep it coming. I knew this was the right place to ask.


"Is it chambered in 8x22mm? I don't see any caliber markings, but I don't know what the convention was in WWII era Japan. "

I have no idea.


"Agreed, a nice outfit. You might check closed auctions on GunBroker.com and AuctionArms.com to see what they are selling for."

I assume that I just check Type 14 Nambu, and consider its age, accessories, and condition. Is there anything else special or noteworthy about this particular gun that the owner might want to know or that would affect its value?

Thanks.

Joe Mamma

 

[Jim K]

Note that the cocking knob is not fully screwed in, probably because the owner didn't know to push in the firing pin spring guide and line it up with the slot in the bolt to allow the cocking knob to be screwed down. When in place, the spring guide locks the cocking knob in place; if that is not done, it could be inadvertently unscrewed and lost.

Jim

 

[hhb]

Winter trigger, only thing that could have made it better is the silk lanyard that was issued with the pistol. The original lanyards are going for almost $300 now. Unusual also to find one with the magazine serialized to the pistol. The caliber is 8mm Nambu.