WWII Japanese Chuo Kogyo Nagoya Type 94 Nambu 8mm Semi-Auto Pistol 1940 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1425
LSB#: 210918MW90
Make: Chuo Kogyo Co. At Kokubunji Operating Under the Supervision of the Nagoya Arsenal.
Model: Type 94 Nambu
Serial Number: 9771
Year of Manufacture: January, 1940
Caliber: 8mm Nambu
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the frame above the trigger has 3 Japanese characters (model designation), between these and the safety markings are some other inspection marks. The right side of the frame at the rear is marked with the character Sho and the date “15.1” indicating the 15th year 1st month of Hirohito’s reign, or Jan. 1940, over the symbols for Nambu and the Nagoya Arsenal. The right of the frame above the trigger is marked with the serial number “9771” and a small Japanese character (inspection mark). The indexing lug of the slide, the left of the bolt, the bottom of the firing pin, left of the barrel lug, bottom of the locking block, the left of the trigger and the crossbolt are each marked “771”. The rear of each magazine at the bottom is marked with a Japanese character and with a dot over “334” and “432”, respectively.
Barrel Length: 3 ¾”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short post style blade fixed to the top of the slide. The rear sight is a square groove fixed to the top rear of the frame.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered black bakelite panels. The grips have light handling wear with nicks and scuffs, mostly in the smooth borders and most notable at the top of the right panel. There are light tool marks around the grip screws. The flanges at the tops which sit inside the frame and at the bottom around the grip screws have some losses, these are not visible when the grips are installed. The checkering is well defined. There are no cracks. The grips rate in Good-Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, some small parts Strawed
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 87% of its metal finish. The balance is mostly in scattered surface oxidation, primarily in the grip areas where there is also some erosion. There is some other scattered minor surface oxidation and a few light nicks and scratches. The controls show handling wear and the action has light operational wear. The screw heads show tool use with generally strong slots. The markings are clear except for the inspection markings which are poorly struck. Overall, this handgun rates in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide has minor play to the frame. The safety is pushed up for safe and down for fire. 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:
-A brown leather flap holster is included, showing scattered wear, most notable on the spare magazine pouch and at the muzzle, and with intact stitching.
– A total of two magazines are included, one blued and one nickel-plated. Neither magazine is original to the pistol.
Our Assessment: The Type 94 Nambu is an odd-looking pistol but was popular with the Japanese troops because it was smaller and lighter than the Type 14. It was issued to tankers, pilots and others who had to work in cramped quarters. It was originally designed as a military sidearm, and never intended for civilian sales. Like other Nambu pistols, it is chambered for 8mm Nambu. This pistol was made by the Chuo Kogyo company under the supervision of the Nagoya Arsenal in 1940, the 5th year this model was made. This pistol comes with a pair of magazines which are serial-matched to the pistol. This pistol is in about Very Good condition with about 87% of its original finish remaining. The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling and infrequent minor erosion. Its early production means it has higher quality machining and finish than later examples, with polished flats and rounded features. It is also nice that all of the serialized parts match on the pistol itself. This pistol and its included holster should be a big hit with the collectors of Japanese weaponry and military weapons used in WWII. Please see our photos and good luck!