WWII Japanese Nagoya Toriimatsu Type 14 8mm Nambu Semi-Auto Pistol 1944 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1147

LSB#: 210915BM10

Make: Toriimatsu Branch of Nagoya Arsenal, Japan

Model: Nambu Type 14 2nd Series

Serial Number: 52058

Year of Manufacture: August, 1944

Caliber: 8mm Nambu

Action Type: Striker-Fired Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine

Markings: The left side of the frame has 4 Japanese characters (model designation). The right side of the frame has a Nagoya Arsenal upside down “8” in a circle, followed by the Japanese character for “ro”, the 2nd character in the Japanese alphabet, meaning 2nd series. This is followed by the serial number “52058”. Below these marks on the frame is the Japanese character for “Showa” followed by the date code “19.8” and another Japanese symbol, which was a final inspection mark. The inside surfaces of both grip panels are stamped “2058”. The top of the bolt in front of the cocking knob is marked “058” and the front face of the cocking knob is marked “058”. The right side of the trigger is marked “058” as is the top of the trigger guard. The bottom of the barrel assembly is marked “058”, found again on the front of the locking block and the magazine release. The firing pin is marked “058”. The bottom of the magazine’s spine is marked “058”, with a Japanese character, and with a dot above the “058” marking.

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 two piece wood with 24 horizontal serrations. The grips show light handling wear with a few scattered light nicks, most notable on the right panel below the magazine catch. There are some light scratches in the smooth borders, but these may be from rough shaping. There is some wear around the magazine catch on the left panel. There are no cracks. The serrations are well defined. The grips rate in Very Good-Fine overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The balance is mostly in handling wear in the grip areas. The action shows light operational wear. There are a few other scattered minor marks, but otherwise the finish is generally strong. The grip screws are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, some are poorly struck, but legible. Overall, this handgun rates in Very Good-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrel assembly has minor play to the frame. 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 rubberized canvas clam-shell holster is included. The holster has damage to the leather covering the springs of the latch assembly and has hardened significantly with age. Otherwise, it shows light wear with intact stitching.

– A single serial-matching magazine is included.
Our Assessment: This is a Nambu Type 14 pistol made by the Toriimatsu branch of the Nagoya arsenal in August, 1944 (2nd Series). The Type 14 was built between 1925 and 1945 for the armed forces, and almost all of the Japanese pistols and revolvers used unique cartridges. The 8mm Nambu is a bottleneck cartridge that pushes a 102 gr. bullet at a little over 900 fps. and has approximately the same power as a .380 ACP cartridge. This is a very nice find for the collector of WWII or Japanese weapons. It was produced fairly late in the war, showing the rougher finish seen on Japanese guns of the period. The Japanese were very much on the back foot in August, 1944. They had been pushed out of the Marianas entirely, they were being pushed out of the Carolines, and their Indian offensive had failed. This pistol has its original finish and the serial numbers are matching, including the grip panels and magazine. The pistol is in Very Good-plus condition with about 87% of its finish remaining.  The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. A rubberized canvas holster is included with the pistol. Not that many Japanese pistols survived the war, and those that did were often in poor condition or have been refinished, so this will make a great addition to a collection. Please see our photos and good luck!