Make: Koishikawa Arsenal in Tokyo

Model: Type 26

Serial#: 27526

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1893-1935

Caliber: 9x22mm Japanese Revolver

Action Type: Double-Action Only Top-Break Revolver with a 6-Round Cylinder and Ejector

Barrel Length: 4 3/4"

Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned to a base integral to the barrel. The rear sight is a "U"-notch integral to the top-strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grip panels are two-piece checkered wood with smooth borders. The interior of the left panel has a stamped matching assembly number. The grip panels have even light handling wear with some scattered nicks and scratches. The checkering shows some wear but remains generally well defined. There are a couple of minor losses around the edges. Overall, the grip panels are in Good-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Arsenal Refurbished. The assembly numbers are matching (there are two separate assembly number sets, correct for this model).

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is infrequent light erosion in the bore, mostly at the muzzle-end. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 8/10.

Overall Condition: The revolver retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is some scattered scuffing, most notable on the right of the barrel and the left sideplate above the grip. There are tool marks on the bottom of the frame at the sideplate finger-recess. There is fairly evenly scattered light surface oxidation, more notable on the butt of the frame, with infrequent surface erosion. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good condition as arsenal refurbished.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box Paperwork and Accessories: None.

Assessment: The first service revolver used by the Japanese was the Smith & Wesson in .44 Russian. They started designing their own revolver in 1890, the Type 26 was finished in 1893 and adopted by the military in 1894. It was a double action only revolver with a six-shot cylinder firing a 9mm Japanese cartridge similar to the .38 S&W. The Type 26 revolvers stopped production in 1923 but were still used as secondary weapons even after the Type 14 Nambu was introduced in 1926. Because of their use in the Russo-Japanese War and in WWI, many of the early Type 26 revolvers were arsenal refurbished, with the original bright blue finish replaced by a dull blue and the checkered grips replaced by those with horizontal serrations.

This example was refurbished, but still retains its checkered grip panels. The revolver is from Standard Production in Very Good condition, retaining the majority of its arsenal blue finish, a quite nice bore for its age, and good mechanics. This revolver should make a nice addition to any collection of Japanese martial arms and would fit well with a more general military sidearm collection as an issued top-break revolver. Please see our photos and good luck!