September 10-12, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/11/2024
Essentially a second generation Grandpa, the so-called Papa Nambus were the result of a revision in 1904 by Kijiro Nambu. This example is one of the more interesting privately produced examples by Tokyo Gas Electric company, who appear to have taken the reins from Tokyo Artillery Arsenal on production of the Papa, as Naval adoption of the Papa meant that Tokyo arsenal no longer had the production capacity to keep up. After World War I, the Papa Nambu (and the Baby) was shelved in favor of the Type 14, and and the parts left over from Tokyo Arsenal were provided to Tokyo Gas Electric, who fulfilled the final contracts and finally ceased private production in 1928. This example is in the classic configuration with barleycorn front sight, 500 meter adjustable rear sight, TGE logo ahead of ejection port, and with normal kanji on frame and an anchor on the right, behind the serial number and Nambu designation. Two piece wooden grips, left scale with matching serial number. Frame resists disassembly, with the trigger guard refusing to move, but this is a mixed numbers gun, as the cocking knob is numbered to a different gun (343), as are the magazines (4742 & 733). Housed in a rubberized canvas holster with spare magazine, and cleaning tool, with kanji on rear that reads "Second Lieutenant Koga" and an attached tag that the was released by U.S. intelligence as a war trophy, listing "One Pistol" and what to be appears to be an Ensign's name, signed C.H. Debbar? CONDITION: Good, retaining the majority, approximately 60-70%, of the original bluing with distension about the proofs from application of stamp. Scattered oxidation throughout with concentrated on his edges with some other smaller areas. Grips are very good with some handling marks and abraded abraded heads, left scale with a chip on bottom. Straw essentially faded out, with traces visible in protected areas. Holster very good with some scuffs and handling marks. Mechanically fine, bore with heavily softened rifling and frosting throughout.