WWII Japanese Nagoya Toriimatsu Type 14 8mm Nambu Semi-Auto Pistol 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1275.01
LSB#: 211218EH02
Make: Toriimatsu Branch of Nagoya Arsenal, Japan
Model: Nambu Type 14 2nd Series
Serial Number: 38825
Year of Manufacture: May, 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 “38825”. Below these marks on the frame is the Japanese character for “Showa” followed by the date code “19.5” and another Japanese symbol, which was a final inspection mark. The inside surfaces of both grip panels are stamped “8825”. The top of the bolt in front of the cocking knob is marked “825” and the front face of the cocking knob is marked “825”. The right side of the trigger is marked “825” as is the top of the trigger guard. The bottom of the barrel assembly is marked “825”, found again on the front of the locking block and the magazine release.
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 scattered light nicks and scratches with a little more notable wear at the bottom of each panel. There is minor wear around the magazine catch on each panel. There are no chips cracks. The serrations are well defined. The grips rate in Very Good-plus overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore and some stubborn copper fouling.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges.Most of the balance is handling wear in the grip areas with the worn areas showing minor discoloration from oxidation. There are a few scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The frame’s finish has a slightly plum color when compared to the barrel assembly. The action shows light operational wear. 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 condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly, but the magazine does not properly catch when pushed all the way into the magazine well. The barrel assembly has no 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 non-serial-matching magazine, showing light operational wear, infrequent surface oxidation, intact feed lips and a strong spring. The magazine does not properly catch when pushed all the way into the magazine well.
Our Assessment: This is a Nambu Type 14 pistol made by the Toriimatsu branch of the Nagoya arsenal in May, 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 on the back foot in May, 1944. They were losing ground in New Guinea and Burma, and their Indian offensive would fail by the end of the month. In June the Battle of the Philippine Sea would drastically curtail Japan’s naval air power. This pistol has most of its original finish and the serial numbers are matching, including the grip panels, though the magazine is not matching and doesn’t properly catch when inserted in the magazine well. The pistol is in Very Good condition with about 80% of its finish remaining. The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling and infrequent minor erosion. 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!