Saw some interesting pieces today

[critter]

A guy brought some items to my LGS today while I was there. It was interesting, but I know very little about them.

These were Japanese pieces from, likely, late '30's, early 40's from their history.

1. Japanese Arisaka (SP?) bolt gun-standard run-of-the mill like I've seen before. Average shape, ground mum, BUT somebody had 'installed' a home made recoil pad.

2. Japanese Arisaka bolt gun carbine model with bolt cover and bayonet still there. Average shape, ground mum.

3. Japanese 8mm Nambu pistol WITH original holster AND tools! Shape a little better than average. Matching magazine.

4. Never seen one of these before! A triple barrel flare pistol: 2 sxs + one on top of those 2. Selector switch at the rear, safety, etc. BIG HOLES, like 10 ga or maybe bigger.

He wanted a ball-park value but I had no idea. Very interesting pieces. They were post WWII bringbacks by a disceased vet.

 

[Ian]

Neat! The flare pistol was most likely a Type 90.

Teri's Nambu page has a bunch of info on these and other Japanese arms.

 

[critter]

Yup. That's it exactly. Thanks.

 

[Shadow 7D]

the rifles, depends alot on condition, duffel (bag) cuts, mum, sight and lots and lots of other little things, Gunboards has a Japanese section, check there. The nambu is money, BUT a dangerous pistol if you don't know how to use it, it will discharge without pulling the trigger. Complete and matching with all issued items (well original), will bring over a thousand, probably north of 2 at a large auction.

 

[jad0110]

The nambu is money, BUT a dangerous pistol if you don't know how to use it, it will discharge without pulling the trigger.

If I'm not mistaken, the Type 14 Nambu, though not a great sidearm, did not suffer from this problem. It was theType 94 (also in the Nambu series), with it's exposed sear/trigger bar, that could be fired simply by pressing on that part. Certainly something to be wary of when firing the 94.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Aw, I was told NEVER squeeze the girp on a nambu esp. if it's loaded.

 

[Ian]

The early (Type 14) Nambu pistol is really a very nice gun. The 8mm Nambu cartridge is a bit underpowered, but the Japanese Army didn't treat pistols as a serious weapon (like the US did) so the cartridge wasn't considered particularly important. The Type has a great grip, and actually one of the best (light and crisp) triggers you'll find on any stock military pistol. If the ammo weren't so rare, it would be a fantastic pistol for training new shooters.

It's the later Type 94 that is...not so nice.