JAPANESE Pistol - WWII Question

Nambu

Couple of notes on your Nambu. There is a date code on the right rear side of he receiver. It will be a number, a period, and a number. It dates the pistol from the beginning of the year of the Sun, January 1, 1925. Mine is dated 9.9. manufactured in September, 1934. Mine has the original silk shoulder lanyard attached to the pistol. The original lanyards are worth almost as much as the pistol. The magazines (2) should be serial numbered to the pistol, mine isn't.
 
One way to sell a gun is to locate a dealer you can trust, and put the gun on consignment. You and the dealer agree in advance what you want out of the gun, then he sells it for whatever he can get over that. This works well, and is better than just selling it to him since he will always have to give a lot less than the gun is worth, but some trust is needed. If you know about what the gun is worth (and remember the books and most folks here will give you a retail price) and will accept less, a consignment sale is one way to go and keep things local. Of course, don't expect an instant sale. I have put guns on consignment and sale time varied from 1 day to 2 years.

Jim
 
Doing a quick look over at gunbroker.com, I would anticipate a sale price around $375.

That being said, your best bet (unless legal complications don't allow it) is to hold on to the gun and sell it later. With the economy the way it is, people just aren't buying. Especially around Christmas time.

Wait until the 75th anniversiary of World War II, THEN sell.
 
Apparently, a Band of Brothers-like miniseries about the war in the Pacific is in production, and when that comes out, there will be an uptick in interest in Japanese weapons. ;)
 
There has been a up tick in Jap weapons because the generation who had them are slowly passing. All except for the Baby Nambu (rare), the pistols and rifles don't go for much say compared to WW German weapons.
 
The number 12 printed as 12-3...Sorry!
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I believe that would make it December of 1928, and most likely a "small guard" (referring tothe trigger guard). As an early production Type 14, it will command a higher price than a later "large guard" pistol (like the one shown).

Due to my senility (LOL), I stand corrected. 12.3 would, indeed, be March of 1937. I had forgotten that the year precedes the month.:o
 
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Date

The pistol was manufactured in March 1937 (12.3). The most important number is the 12. It measures 12 years after the beginning of the Sun (1925). The second number indicated the month is was made. I've seen the first number as high as 19, but have never seen the second number higher than 12.
 
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The pistol was manufactured in March 1937 (12.3). The most important number is the 12. It measures 12 years after the beginning of the Sun (1925). The second number indicated the month is was made. I've seen the first number as high as 19, but have never seen the second number higher than 12.
Click to expand...

OMG! I'm getting senile. Of course, you are correct. I forgot that the month is second and the year is first. Boy is my face red!:o
 
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