Nambu Type 14 (gun of the day)
- Thread starter johnwill
- Start date
There are a few knowledgeable writers, and a whole lot of clueless ones.
Harley Nolden
Staff In Memoriam
NAMBU:
Comparing your photo with the one I have, your NAMBU is the Model "B" or baby Nambu.
Which was developed concurrently with the larger Model "A", apparently for purchase by senior officers as a badge of rank. Made to the same general design as the Model "A", but somwhat smaller, it chambered a 7mm bottle necked cartridge. Production began about 1909-10 in Koishikawa arsenal, continuing until the early part of 1923. It is beleived that work was then transferred to the Tokyo Gas & Electric Co, where about 500 more were made. Early Model "B" guns had wooden magazine buttoms, a pinched in-cocking knob and a single diameter firing pin. After about 450 had been made, the magazine base became aluminium and the cocking knob was rounded and the multiple diameter firing pin was used. the Baby Nambu never achieved the popularity that had been hoped for, since it was almost twice the price of comparable importe pistols.
Comparing your photo with the one I have, your NAMBU is the Model "B" or baby Nambu.
Which was developed concurrently with the larger Model "A", apparently for purchase by senior officers as a badge of rank. Made to the same general design as the Model "A", but somwhat smaller, it chambered a 7mm bottle necked cartridge. Production began about 1909-10 in Koishikawa arsenal, continuing until the early part of 1923. It is beleived that work was then transferred to the Tokyo Gas & Electric Co, where about 500 more were made. Early Model "B" guns had wooden magazine buttoms, a pinched in-cocking knob and a single diameter firing pin. After about 450 had been made, the magazine base became aluminium and the cocking knob was rounded and the multiple diameter firing pin was used. the Baby Nambu never achieved the popularity that had been hoped for, since it was almost twice the price of comparable importe pistols.
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Harley, I'm afraid you're mistaken about mine being the Baby Nambu. I would be immensely pleased if it were the Baby, because one in really good condition is bringing $3000 or more! I passed up a chance to bid on a Baby Nambu over in Auction Arms several months back, and it sold for $2200, I was bummed!
Mine pictured here is the early type 14, before they enlarged the trigger guard for use with gloves.
Mine pictured here is the early type 14, before they enlarged the trigger guard for use with gloves.
Harley Nolden
Staff In Memoriam
Taking another look at my information and photos, there is a difference between yours and the Model "B". Although similar the bolt or cocking piece on the rear are different. I did research farther and found the following information.
Your pistol is defined as the 14th Year type Nambu Pistol T/14
It is similar to the 4th year type but without a grip safetyand with grooved grips and a larger trigger guard.Mfg'd until 1945 Early guns have a small trigger guard. Later models have a much larger trigger guard.
The guns are dated beginning of trhe reign of Hirohito (sho-wa Period which started in 1925. Thus 3.12 means 1928-Dec and 19.5 means 1944-May
May I apologize for my lack of attention to detail.
HJN
Your pistol is defined as the 14th Year type Nambu Pistol T/14
It is similar to the 4th year type but without a grip safetyand with grooved grips and a larger trigger guard.Mfg'd until 1945 Early guns have a small trigger guard. Later models have a much larger trigger guard.
The guns are dated beginning of trhe reign of Hirohito (sho-wa Period which started in 1925. Thus 3.12 means 1928-Dec and 19.5 means 1944-May
May I apologize for my lack of attention to detail.
HJN
The Type 14 never had a grip safety in the front like the earlier pistols. Also it has a somewhat different takedown system and two recoil springs rather than the single spring of its predecessors. It also has a manual safety (the 180 degree lever shown in the picture) where the Baby and Papa do not. The little button on those guns is sometimes taken for a safety by those who have only seen pictures, but it is actually the retainer for the firing pin release lever.
Jim
Jim
