[Blackcloud6]

Anyone know of a good website that gives good information on the theType 14 Nambu pistol. I have one being offered to me and would like to learn more about it, especailly how to figure out the year of manufacture.

Thanks,

[Old Fuff]

I don't know of any web site, although they're may be some. However I do have a book (Handguns of the World by Edward C. Ezell) that has an extensive chapter on Japanese military handguns from 1870 to 1945. A part of this goes into the Type 14 pistol, including date codes. I'll do a little research and get back to you.

[Johnny Guest]

While double-posting is normally discouraged, you might want to direct a similar question to another THR forum, Harley Nolden's Institute for Firearms Research . . .

Best,
Johnny.

[Blackcloud6]

Old Fuff:

Thanks.

I was told today that those Nambus made from 1943 to 45 were pretty crappy and dangerous to shoot. if you run across any confirmation of this, please let me know.

Fred

[Old Fuff]

Well I reviewed the chapter in “Handguns of the World” on Japanese type 14 pistols. Production started in 1927 and the Pattern 14 represented a simplified version of the original Nambu pistol. Over the years it was manufactured at several arsenals. The serial number, which is prefixed by an arsenal stamp, is located on the right/rear of the frame and date-of-manufacture is supposed to be on the frame panel behind the grip. Look for a three or four-digit number that looks like this: 12.7 – the first two numbers represent the year in the Japanese Showa era, and the third number (or fourth) is the month (1 through 12). Year numbers equal our calendar as follows:

02 = 1927 11 = 1936 20 = 1945
03 = 1928 12 = 1937
04 = 1929 13 = 1938
05 = 1930 14 = 1939
06 = 1931 15 = 1940
07 = 1932 16 = 1941
08 = 1933 17 = 1942
09 = 1934 18 = 1943
10 = 1935 19 = 1944

After the invasion of Manchuria winter warfare showed the need for an enlarged trigger guard that would accommodate gloved hands. This change was made about 1939-1940 and is an easy way to identify later production guns.

The type 14 should not be confused with the type 94 that had some serious design flaws, including a sear bar that ran outside of the pistol and if depressed the gun could be accidentally fired. However the type 14 also had some problems including a striker system that sometimes misfired. Later wartime production were made with lower quality materials and as time went by workmanship deteriorated. They should be considered relics rather then shooters.

The 8mm ammunition the type 14 uses is available from some custom makers but is not a regular production item. As such it can be obtained, but it’s expensive.

[Pistolsmith]

Don't believe the G.I. propaganda. Japan never produced any firearms that were dangerous if used as intended. Even thee "very last ditch guns" were usually safe to fire, since all were proofed.
I have fired Type 14 and Type 94 pistols for over 50 years with no problems, and I use a duplication of the commercial loading.
The T-94 does NOT have design flaws in the action. It was superbly engineered, but for diminuitive hands, and is arguably ugly by modern standards. The lateral sear bar is no problem. In a half century I have never heard of an accident, and I know many collectors who shoot their pistols. The same person who trips a shot off with a T-94 lateral sear would probably do likewise with other pistols as well. I don't suppose that it ever dawned on an owner to warn people who will be handling their gun to warn them to stay clear of the sear bar.
Frankly, and provably, the T-14 Nambu was the most accurate pistol issued (sold) to troops during WW-II. It is, however, underpowered by Western standards, being just above a .32 auto in terminal ballistics.
You CAN trip the sear on a 94, but it takes some concentration and a good deal of effort. 'Twon't happen by dropping the pistol.
Wolff has replacement springs for both Nambu types. You should never, ever dry fire a T-14. Place a nylon rod through the barrel against the breech face to absorb the firing pin blow and cushion shock at the shoulder. This is good advice for ANY striker fired pistol.
The older Grampa and Papasan Nambus are relics and won't stand up to WW-II loading levels. The Baby Nambu is a collector's prize, and not many of them are being fired these days.
These pistols lock open on the magazine follower and this is really a slow way to reload. You must release the magazine, which slams the action into battery, and upon replacing a full magazine, must work the action to load a round into the chamber. Also, the magazines are designed not to drop free to conserve them. And, though they are quite ugly, they were quite effective at short ranges. A T-94 would be quite a step up from one of them Samoori swords, in my book.
Dies are expensive, but available from RCBS. Plated lead bullets and good cases are now available from Huntington Reloading Specialties. If you have a forming die (don't ask the current price) you can form cases from .357 Sig brass.

[Lone Star]

The Nambus are prety well covered in Smith & Smith's, "Small Arms of the World", which any gun buff should own.

Lone Star

[Pistolsmith]

You could fill a very large book with what Smith & Smith didn't know about Nambus. Matter of fact, Van Lund, Liethe, Darby and others did just that. You can find excellent reference books at most gun shows that are up to date and authentic.

[Lone Star]

I realize that "Small Arms of the World" can't give the extensive technical and collector detail that a specialist work on the Nambu (or any other handgun) can. It remains, however, a good overview of which nations used what and how to operate and maintain those guns. Anyone with an interest in guns should have a copy.

Lone Star

[Pistolsmith]

I've had copies since the 1940's, when it was a paperback. It is a good gfeneral overview of military weapons of the world.
Yes, it has a place in every gun enthusiast's library.
However, it does not comprehensively cover the checkered career of the Nambu pistols, nor does it tell how to shoot them with no commercial ammunition currently available. So, we might add "Cartridges of the World" to the list.
The other handguns of World War II are shootable, in that their proper cartridges are available commercially. Those for the Nambu were sold only twice, and then only for a short period of time. My only point is that SAW does not answer the specific questions outstanding in an owner's mind. Quite frankly, it was originally slanted toward the soldier who might pick up a piece on the battlefield and find that he was compelled to use it as a weapon.

[Jim K]

The main problem with the Type 14 was its tendency to break firing pins; it is the only military pistol I know that was issued with a spare firing pin and a compartment in the holster for it.

The Type 94 actually is well designed and engineered for mass production. I too don't consider the sear bar to be a real problem.

But it did produce some of the silliest stories of WWII. Somehow, someone saw the sear bar and made up a story that the Type 94 was either a "suicide pistol" or a "sneak pistol". (Remember Japanese were always sneaky and tricky!)

Story one has the Japanese approaching an American with his pistol in his open hand to surrender it. His finger is off the trigger, but as he approaches the American, he fires the gun by pressing on the sear bar, committing suicide and depriving the American of his captive.

Story two is the same except the "sneaky Jap" shoots the American.

Of course, this only works if the American will kindly allow a Japanese soldier carrying a pistol to get within a few feet. Anyone want to bet on the odds of that happening? Another story, like the M1 rifle "ping", that originated with some armchair warrior.

Jim

[Pistolsmith]

Another thing leading to the misunderstanding of the T-14 pistol was that Julian Hatcher and WHB Smith both obtained examples of the pre-1928 8mm ammunition that was loaded for the Papasan and Ojisan Nambus, and neither of them learned of the later, more powerful loads. The original load was quite underposered, due to the single small recoil spring in earlier pistols. It is what would be considered a mid-range loading today. Harry Derby is the author who translated the Japanese Ordnance manual and supplied date on the loading for the double recoil spring pistols.
The firing pins were fragile, as are many striker fired systems. (The German officers who obtained Browning 1910 and 1922 pistols were also plagued with firing pin failures.) Unlike the Luger, that can be de-cocked when closing on an empty chamber, the T-14 Nambu must be snapped to relieve spring tension. Unless a shooter presses a pencil eraser or nylon rod against the breech face before snapping, the pin will break off eventually.

[Fed168]

Funny this comes up tonight. I went online to get info on a stolen Type 94 that I just recovered.
I used google and came up with a bunch of sites.

[WESHOOT2]

Mr. Pistolsmith is a Nambu expert.

Man, I hope I ain't blowin' his secret....................

[RON in PA]

Aside from broken firing pins, hard to obtain ammo for $50 a box is a big problem with the Nambu.

[Pistolsmith]

And.....that's why Nambu shooters give thanks to Mike Dillon, Buzz Huntington, RCBS, Winchester powder company, etc. etc. etc.
I don't know how anybody can afford to shoot anything without handloading for it.
Loading your own ammo, it doesn't cost any more than any other handgun caliber and components are now very easily obtained.

[Blackcloud6]

Thanks to everyone who replied to my post.

The Nambu I'm looking at was made in November of 1938, has the small trigger guard, has all matching numbers , including the magaizne. I made an offer to the owner and I'm waiting for a reply.