Nambu Type 14 Pistol

[sheepherder]

I think this is the third most interesting pistol on this forum, behind the Luger and the Mauser...And I had some information on them, so without further ado, here it is...

Warning! The reloading data shown in these articles refers to powder and bullets which may have changed since the articles were written! Use caution!

[sheepherder]

Articles...

[sheepherder]

More articles...

[Zorba]

Thank you Sir! I'm still working on mine, prior to its first range outing!

[sheepherder]

I was looking through Wilson's 'Textbook Of Automatic Pistols' last night and noticed this interesting picture...The book was published in 1943 and contains a publishers preface apologizing that the war in Europe interrupted the completion of the author's work. The pistols studied are from the 1884 - 1935 period. That makes this Nambu quite interesting...

It has the general grip shape of the Type 94 but resembles a Type 14, but an early one...Of note is the rear sight...I'm wondering if the flat grip section and adjustable rear sight indicate a shoulder stock???

[Patronen]

I think that model may be refered to as a Grandpa Nambu but I could be wrong.

Here is a really strange bird right here:
http://www.forgottenweapons.com/earl...o-komuro-1908/

Thanks for the articles!

[Shadowsix]

At one of the gun stores I shop at they have on consignment a Nambu type 14 that some GI brought back and had nickel plated. I've been considering it because it's only $300 (I'm sure because of the nickel plating).

Originally Posted by Patronen

I think that model may be refered to as a Grandpa Nambu but I could be wrong.

Here is a really strange bird right here:
http://www.forgottenweapons.com/earl...o-komuro-1908/

Thanks for the articles!

Very cool Dave! I've never even heard of one of these!

A blow forward design with no locking mechanism and fixed firing pin, wow!

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Patronen

I think that model may be refered to as a Grandpa Nambu but I could be wrong.

I don't know the popular term for it but now that I look in the other articles I see it is referred to as a 'Nambu Pistol 1904 Type'...Hmmm...Tangent sight...

Edit: I should read my articles more carefully...SAOTW says the 1904 Nambu can be found cut for a shoulder stock...

Edit2: I was just given a link to a site devoted to Japanese handguns -

http://members.shaw.ca/tju/jhg.htm

Looks promising!

[alvin]

Recently, I heard a theory regarding a few old nick names of some pistols in Northern China. The theory is, of course, unproven. Actually, no way to prove those nick names used in oral language. But at least, it could interpret a few popular nicknames.

Large frame pistol, which has a holster carried by shoulder strap, was called "Her-Zi", that is, "Box", regardless that holster's making material, or that holster could be attached as a stock or not, the key was the shoulder strap. So, Broomhandle was also called "Box gun", Nambu pistol was also called "Turtle box". Obviously, "Turtle" came from its leather holster's shape, and that holster has a long shoulder strap, so it's also a "Box-level" pistol.

If a pistol's holster is attached to belt, no shoulder strap, then, universally, it's a "Lu-Zi", that is, a "Puller". Probably referring to the slide-pulling operation. So, there were "Pistol-brand Puller" (FN 1900), "Horse-brand Puller" (Colt 1903), "Dog-brand Puller" (a Spanish pocket, with lion proof mark, but too small to be identified as a lion) etc. This was not limited to small frame pistol. Even large frame 1911 was "Big-bore Puller", due to its holster was attached to the belt. At that time, very very few people knew the meaning of Latin-character markings or brand name on the gun, so the nick name assigned was very popular.

However, that's not absolute. In some area, Nambu was also referred as "Chicken-leg Puller", obviously due to its grip.

[Zorba]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

Does anyone have an original 8mm Nambu cartridge that they could mic for me??? I'm getting a conflict between the cartridge I have vs published dimensions...

I have a box of Mr. Nambu reloads - if that helps at all I'd be happy to mic one of the rounds for ya.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by zormpas

I have a box of Mr. Nambu reloads - if that helps at all I'd be happy to mic one of the rounds for ya.

That would be great! I only need three measurements - The base, the shoulder, and the overall length. Thanks!

(Those would be B, G, and A in the cartridge schematic some posts above here)...

You could PM them to me - No sense cluttering up the thread with more posts...

[Edward Tinker]

I have 20-30 loose rounds of original nambu rounds.

I like the nambu and have several, including one that had the nickle removed and the grips have brass inlayed grips with a us military captains name on them.

Rich, if you want a real cartridge shoot me your address.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

I have 20-30 loose rounds of original nambu rounds.

I like the nambu and have several, including one that had the nickle removed and the grips have brass inlayed grips with a us military captains name on them.

Rich, if you want a real cartridge shoot me your address.

PM sent!

I guess Jerry sold his three boxes...

Boy, Eugene's gonna be mad when he realizes I'm spending my carbine money on Nambu's...

[Zorba]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

That would be great! I only need three measurements - The base, the shoulder, and the overall length. Thanks!

(Those would be B, G, and A in the cartridge schematic some posts above here)...

You could PM them to me - No sense cluttering up the thread with more posts...

Might as well post it here, others may want it too

*IF* I'm interpreting the diagram correctly:

A, case OAL: .838"
B, Head dia: .412"
G, Shoulder dia: .395

If my terminology is off or these measurements don't make sense, someone chime in - I'm a Belly Dancer, not a ballistician!

Headstamped "H.D.S. 8mm NAMBU"

Be interesting to see how this compares with others.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by zormpas

*IF* I'm interpreting the diagram correctly:

A, case OAL: .838"
B, Head dia: .412"
G, Shoulder dia: .395

Thanks for your help!

That one seems suspect...It's the area just in front of the groove....412" seems kind of high...That's why I am soliciting measurements; the Handloaders Guide shows .407" but on my 'W C C 6 6' 8mm Nambu case I'm seeing .377"...

[Zorba]

Ok, did another measurement - the case diameter directly in front of the groove .412". Yea, I do see the .407" on the HL page - if its any help at all, the 'Rim Diameter' dimension 'D' is .412" on my example also - shown as .417" in the diagram.

This ammo is reputed to feed and shoot well, but as I have yet to try it myself in my weapon, all bets are off! Goddess only knows the provenance of the brass.

[sheepherder]

If you want to read an interesting story about 8mm Nambu cartridges/brass, read Larry Potterfields story on how he founded Midway...

http://www.midwayusa.com/general.mvc...ll-got-started

I have seen the HDS headstamp on one of the 8mm cartridge reloading sites; IIRC it's supposed to be good brass...

[Maestro]

Nambus are cool

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by zormpas

Ok, did another measurement - the case diameter directly in front of the groove .412". Yea, I do see the .407" on the HL page - if its any help at all, the 'Rim Diameter' dimension 'D' is .412" on my example also - shown as .417" in the diagram.

This ammo is reputed to feed and shoot well, but as I have yet to try it myself in my weapon, all bets are off! Goddess only knows the provenance of the brass.

Zorba -

Thanks for your measurements! They made me think (always a dangerous act)!!!

OK, I've got it now...I've been looking at my '8mm Nambu' cartridge as being original Japanese issue, or at least Western Cartridge Company clone...Now I realize I have a reformed military 5.56mm [M16] cartridge with a 102gr - .320" lead bullet...The headstamp should have been immediately obvious...



In a way, that's good. It looks right and according to at least one online article will function correctly.

But it means that I got ripped off back in 1977 or so! I've got half a mind to look that nefarious dealer up and demand my dollar back!!!

But I need a 'template' so I can sort through the junk box at my LGS and pull out other suitable candidates for re-forming. The list of donor cases is getting pretty long. Now I read that .357 Sig will work as well as 30 Remington, 30-30 Winchester, 38 Special/.357 Magnum, 38 Super, .223 Remington, and 41 Colt Long. 32 Remington and 375 Winchester can be used if they are swaged in a 30-30 sizing die before forming...Some need the rim trimmed and an extractor groove cut, but those are easy on a lathe.

[Zorba]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

But it means that I got ripped off back in 1977 or so! I've got half a mind to look that nefarious dealer up and demand my dollar back!!!

I think your warranty has expired...