Late War WWII Japanese Type 94 8mm Nambu Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1275
LSB#: 210918MW76
Make: Chuo Kogyo Co. At Kokubunji Operating Under the Supervision of the Nagoya Arsenal.
Model: Type 94 Nambu
Serial Number: 59432
Year of Manufacture: August, 1944
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). The right side of the frame has is marked with the character Sho and the date “19.8” indicating the 19th year 8th month of Hirohito’s reign, or August, 1944, over a Nagoya Arsenal upside down “8” in a circle followed by the Japanese character for “Nam” (for Lt. Gen Kijiro Nambu, one of the founders of the Nambu Rifle Manufacturing Company, the predecessor to Chuo Kogyo.). The right side of the frame above the trigger is marked “59432”. The bottom of the slide lug, the left of the barrel lug, the bottom of the locking block, the left of the bolt and the rear of one magazine at the bottom are each marked “432”. The other magazine is marked “880” at the bottom of the spine. There are a few other scattered small inspection marks.
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 notch integral to the top rear of the frame.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are slab sided hardwood that appear to be walnut (this is the correct type grip for pistols made after July 1944.). The grips show some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips rate in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with well rifling. There is some minor erosion and stubborn copper fouling in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 95% of its metal finish. This pistol has a typical rough late war finish, but the finish is generally strong throughout. The finish is thinning at some edges. There is some light wear on the raised surfaces. There are a few light nicks, scuffs and infrequent minor surface oxidation. The action shows light operational wear. The screws are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine 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: The pistol comes with a brown leather flap holster, a blued steel cleaning rod, and a total of two 6-round magazines. The holster has scattered wear and discoloration. The portion of the flap-snap which was mounted on the holster body is missing, the flap portion is still present. The stitching is intact. The blued, serial-matching magazine has a similar late-war finish, showing light operational wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring. The other magazine has a nickel finish, showing light operational wear, some minor surface oxidation, light wear on the rear of the feed lips, and a strong spring.
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 August, 1944. The pistol comes with something we don’t see very often – a magazine serialized to the pistol. It also includes a leather holster, a non-matching magazine, and another scarcely seen accessory, a cleaning rod. While the Type 94 holsters had provision for a cleaning rod, they didn’t have any specific features for retention apart from the flap, leading to many being lost. This pistol is in Fine condition with about 95% of its original finish remaining. The bore is semi-bright with well defined rifling and the mechanics are strong. The overall appearance is consistent with the time this pistol was manufactured. By August in 1944, the Japanese were decidedly on the back foot in the Pacific. The “Great Marianas Turkey Shoot” had effectively destroyed the Japanese naval air power, severely crippling the Imperial Japanese Navy. American forces had landed on Guam and Japanese forces on the island were running out of food and in the month this pistol was produced U.S. troops would complete the liberation of Guam. The rough machining and polishing is a result of Japan’s efforts to cut corners, speed production, and do everything possible to continue the fight despite the outcome being all but certain, and not in their favor. This pistol should be a big hit with the collectors of Japanese weaponry and of military weapons used in WWII.