Description
This is a very solid, rare and overall good example of a pre-WWII Model 1902 Japanese Army contract Nambu semi automatic pistol commonly called a “PAPA Nambu” as manufactured by the Tokyo Artillery Arsenal. This model was a continuation of the earlier “Grand PAPA” versions of the pre-WWII era Nambu military pistols.
Approximately 7100 were manufactured before production changed to the later standard Type 14 model. This pistol was produced under an official Army contract and is so marked with the Kanji characters on the left side of the frame. The top of the receiver has the arsenal symbol of four intertwined cannon balls and the right side of the frame has Kanji characters signifying the “Koishikawa-Arsenal” over serial number 2930. The pistol has an adjustable tangent rear sight graduated from 100- 500 meters with a fixed inverted “v” front side. It is fitted with a set of hardwood checkered grips and is complete with a correct nickel plated PAPA magazine, but the serial number does not match.
Included is a near MINT early War leather fitted holster that holds it snugly. Finish is a bit of mottled gunpowder gray and the weapon shows evidence of cleaning many decades ago. The bore is bright with only minor oxidation near the breech. Mechanically, it functions properly in all respects and like all of the Nambu pistols, is chambered in the standard 8mm bottlenecked cartridge.
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