December 16, 17, & 18, 2020 Field & Range Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/17/2020
Type B "Baby Nambu" manufactured at Koishikawa Arsenal between 1903-1929. This is an earlier production gun, likely being manufactured before World War I. Frame is marked with the Koishikawa arsenal stamp over the chamber, and kanji characters above the serial number denoting the model on the right side of the frame. Matching numbers include the frame, barrel extension, locking block, striker tab, and cocking knob. Custom two piece ivory grips marked "Willy B" for William B. Ellis on the interior of the right grip panel. Unmarked magazine bottom is also comprised of ivory. Magazine does not match. Complete with an unmarked custom leather holster and spare contemporary magazine. CONDITION: Metal components retain fair amounts of their blue finish, with the majority of the frame exhibiting a mixture of gray and brown patinas. Bore is bright, showing pitting and fair rifling throughout. Custom two piece ivory grips are near new, showing few minor handling and storage marks. Leather holster shows age cracking all around. With only 6,500 ever made, the life of the Baby Nambu was a short one, making this a fine opportunity to acquire one of Imperial Japan's scarcest handguns.
Accessories
Holster, spare contemporary magazine