Tokyo Gas & Electric Modified Type A Papa Nambu 8mm Semi-Auto Pistol, C&R
SOLD FOR: $1552
LSB#: 210918MW64
Make: Tokyo Gas & Electric
Model: Modified Nambu Type, “Papa Nambu”
Serial Number: 1829
Year of Manufacture: 1901-1915
Caliber: 8mm Nambu
Action Type: Striker-Fired Semi-Auto Pistol fed by Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the frame has two Japanese characters for “Army Type” (this model was purchased by, though not officially adopted by the Japanese army). The right side of the frame has a stacked cannon ball Tokyo Artillery Arsenal marking and three Japanese characters for “Nambu Type” over the serial number “1829”. The serial number is also marked on the barrel assembly’s lug, the locking block, cocking knob, recoil spring guide-rod, striker and bolt. The ejector assembly is marked “829”. The top of the chamber ring is marked with a Tokyo Gas & Electric symbol. The bottom-rear of the magazine body is marked “6461”. The inside of the left panel is stamped “589”, the outside has two kanji symbols in yellow paint. The right of the frame is import-marked “INTERARMS / ALEX. VA.”.
Barrel Length: 4 3/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into a base on the barrel. The front sight has moderate erosion. The rear sight is a “V”-notch tangent sight marked from 1-5 in hundreds of meters. There is some light damage to the top edge of the rear sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered wood. Each panel’s hole for the magazine release is a little over-sized from wear. The panels are alternately proud and shy to the frame with light handling wear and a few scattered nicks, scuffs, scratches and discoloration from handling. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The grips have been refinished, it is unclear if the kanji characters on the left panel are not genuine or if the finish was applied over them. Overall, the grips are in Good-Very Good condition as refinished and not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Little finish remains to make a good determination. There appears to be some cold blue to the left of the rear sight but otherwise areas where finish remains do not show signs of being refinished. The bolt cap is a replacement.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is light erosion scattered through the bore with some minor pitting near the muzzle.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 10% of its metal finish. Finish remains in protected areas such as corners, recesses and the rear flat of the frame under the cocking knob. Otherwise, the surfaces have gone to a fairly uniform patina with minor surface erosion scattered throughout and infrequent more moderate erosion and light pitting. The lanyard ring is missing from the back of the frame. The markings are generally clear, some are worn, but legible. The screw heads have erosion with useable slots. Overall, this pistol is in about Fair condition (see Mechanics).
Mechanics: The trigger reset spring is missing. The magazine release does not function properly. The bolt does not have much force at the end of its travel toward the breech, it can be pulled back slightly and it does not have enough spring tension to push itself into battery. 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: This pistol comes with a single 8-round magazine and a brown leather clamshell holster. The holster has a pouch with two rows of nine and seven cartridge loops, respectively, there are loops on the interior to hold a cleaning rod (none present), and two leather blocks on the inside to orient a spare magazine (none present). The leather of the holster is fairly soft, showing scattered discoloration and wear, fraying at edges and some more notable fraying on the strap. The stitching is intact. The magazine shows minor wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring.
Our Assessment: This is a Modified Type A Nambu, termed the “Papa Nambu” by American collectors. The pistol has slight improvements over the original “Grandpa” Nambu and was built between 1901-1915 by the Tokyo Gas & Electric company. Interestingly, these pistols were marked “Army Type”, but were never officially accepted by Japanese army, though they did see use by the Navy and some, such as this one, were procured by the Tokyo Artillery Arsenal, which is why it has markings for both TAA and TGE. It is chambered for the 8mm Nambu, 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. The pistol has wear consistent with its age and service, but retains mostly serial-matching parts, though its bolt cap has been replaced. This will make a nice addition to a Japanese small arms collection, especially with its holster. Please see our photos and good luck!