Tokyo Arsenal Japanese Modified Type A Papa Nambu 8mm Semi-Auto Pistol, C&R
SOLD FOR: $2477.33
LSB#: 210609MW02
Make: Tokyo Arsenal
Model: Modified Nambu Type, “Papa Nambu”
Serial Number: 5012
Year of Manufacture: 1906-1923
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” (though this model was not adopted by the Japanese army). The right side of the frame has three Japanese characters for “Nambu Type” over the serial number “5012”. The serial number is also marked on the barrel assembly’s lug, the locking block and bolt. The bolt’s grasping knob is marked “012”, found again on the ejector assembly. The recoil spring guide-rod is marked “3092”. The striker spring guide is marked “4325”. The top of the chamber ring is marked with a Tokyo Arsenal symbol. The bottom-rear of the magazine body is marked “3496”.
Barrel Length: 4 3/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into a base on the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch tangent sight marked from 1-5 in hundreds of meters.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered wood. Each panel’s hole for the magazine release is over-sized from wear and/or losses. The panels are alternately proud and shy to the frame with a few small losses at edges. There are scattered nicks, scuffs, scratches and some discoloration from handling. The checkering is well defined. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Good condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is well defined. There is infrequent light erosion and a couple spots of minor pitting in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 70% of its metal finish. The balance is mostly in evenly distributed surface oxidation and erosion. There is some light handling wear and minor operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about 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: 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 and there are loops on the exterior to hold a cleaning rod (none present). The leather of the holster is fairly soft, showing scattered discoloration and wear. The strap has some cracking and the bottom of the holster at the muzzle is starting to come free from the body. Overall, the holster is in about Fair-Good condition. The magazine shows scattered oxidation, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Fair-Good condition.
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 1906-1923. Interestingly, these pistols were marked “Army Type”, but were never officially accepted by Japanese army, though they did see use by the Navy. 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 its original finish and looks like it has spent some time in its holster. Some of the parts are mixed from other pistols, but if it saw any service it may be the result of a “camp-fire swap”. The pistol is in about Good-plus condition, with some scattered oxidation and erosion, a fairly nice bore and strong mechanics. This will make a nice addition to a Japanese small arms collection. Please see our photos and good luck!