Make: Chuo Kogyo Co., Ltd., Kokubunji Factory

Model: Nambu Type 14

Serial#: 10718

Year of Manufacture: February, 1935

Caliber: 8x22mm Nambu

Action Type: Semi-Automatic Pistol fed by a Detachable Magazine

Barrel Length: 4 1/2"

Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to a boss at the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a notch integral to the top-rear of the frame.

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grip panels are two-piece serrated wood, each with 25 serrations. The interior of the left panel has "718" hand-written, there is no legible serial marking inside the right panel. The grips have scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. The left panel has a small loss at the front edge in front of the magazine catch. There are some tool marks around the magazine catch, mostly on the left. The serrations are well defined. There are no cracks Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Strawed

Finish Originality: Original, numbered parts match on the pistol, the firing pin and striker-guide are not serial marked.

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with well defined rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore and stubborn fouling on the lands. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 7+/10.

Overall Condition: The pistol retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The left of the frame has an arc of wear from the safety lever, common for this model. There are some scattered minor nicks and scratches. There are infrequent spots of minor surface oxidation. The controls show handling wear. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition.

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

Box Paperwork and Accessories: The gun comes with a single non-matching 8-round magazine.

Our Assessment: The Japanese Type 14, known more commonly as the Nambu, was a semi-automatic pistol that was used by Japan’s military from 1925 until the end of WWII in 1945. The gun’s nickname comes from General Kijiro Nambu, a prolific weapon designer that created the handgun, while the designation "Type 14" comes from the year it was adopted, 1925 or Taisho 14. The gun would see extensive use over the ensuing decades. The Type 14 pistols carried by Japanese officers had to be privately purchased while the limited number of enlisted men who carried the handgun were issued them.

Emperor Taisho died in 1926, his son Hirohito assumed the throne at the age of 25. Hirohito would preside over a period of Japanese history defined by militarism and conflict. From the Mukden incident in 1931, where Japanese forces based in Korea annexed Manchuria from China, to the invasion of China in 1937, Japanese troops carried the Nambu into battle and the gun would see continued service throughout WWII.

This particular specimen is a Nambu Type 14 which was made in February of 1935, a couple of years before Japan launched a land war in Asia and several before they made the error of messing with America's boats.

The gun on auction here was made at the Kokubunji Factory that was run by Chuo Kogyo Co. of which General Nambu himself had a stake. The guns made at Kokubunji in the period before Japan went to war with the US are some of the best made Type 14 pistols. The serialized parts are matching, though the included magazine is not, the bore is decent and the mechanics are strong. This is a solid option for historical firearms enthusiasts, especially collectors of WWII sidearms. Good luck on your bid!