Make: Chuo Kogyo Co. At Kokubunji Operating Under the Supervision of the Nagoya Arsenal.
Model: Nambu Type 14, First Series (after Original Series)
Serial Number: 16981
Year of Manufacture: September, 1943
Caliber: 8mm Nambu
Action Type: Striker-Fired Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine
Barrel Length: 4 1/2"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into a slightly raised base on the barrel. The rear sight is a square groove milled into a raised boss on the back of the frame.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are slab sided wood with 17 horizontal serrations each. The inside of each panel has "981" hand-written in pencil. The grips have minor handling wear with a few light marks. There are no chips or cracks. The serrations are well defined. The panels have minor play to the frame. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue and Strawed
Finish Originality: Original, numbers match.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is well defined. There is some scattered light erosion and a little stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 8/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 94% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. There are a few scattered little nicks and light scuffs. There are infrequent spots of faint surface oxidation. The action shows light operational wear, including an arc of wear from the safety lever. The controls have light handling wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a single matching 8-round magazine.
Our Assessment: This is a Nambu Type 14 pistol made by the Chuo Kogyo Co. (branch of the Nagoya arsenal) in September, 1943. The Type 14 was built between 1925 and 1945 for the armed forces. This example was made during the 2nd Sino Japanese War and shortly after the outbreak of the WWII which would begin with Germany's and later the Soviet Union's invasion of Poland. All of the serialized parts match including the grips and the included magazine, making it a nice find for the collector. The pistol has remarkably light wear given its age and what Japan went through when it was made.
By September, 1943, Japan had been forced out of Guadalcanal and abandoned the Aleutians, Yamamoto had been killed, and the Solomon Islands campaign was well underway. While Japan still held out hope, the tide was decidedly turned against them. This is a very nice example of a wartime Type 14, a quality example for the Nambu collector. Please see our photos and good luck!
