Nambu Type 14 Pistol

[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 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).

Did you buy it???

[sheepherder]

I am very skeptical of these Wolff 'standard' weight recoil springs...So I thought up a test...

I stripped the Nambu down and stripped the bolt of all but body & recoil springs...Old & new...

I attached my spring tension gauge to a loop of wire around the bolt knob...Clamped the pistol in my vise...And checked initial weight to get bolt moving, and weight when fully retracted (or just before)...

Here's what I got...

Old springs - 4# initial, 19# fully retracted
New springs - 6# initial, 19# fully retracted

Here's why I'm skeptical - 73year old springs have the same draw weight as brand new springs??? I don't buy it...

I don't want to test-load up a number of cartridges with 3.5gr of powder while using an underpowered recoil spring...In fact, I noticed that when dry cocking, the new springs would not always force the bolt closed...The bolt stopped about a quarter inch from closed...

I'm going to order the Wolff 'Recoil Spring Pak (Stock No. 16960) contains 2 extra power recoil springs' and check those the same way to see if they are actually 'extra power'...

[Zorba]

Let us know what you find.

I've noticed the same thing about the springs (Both my new Wolff and the old ones that came with the gun) not closing the bolt completely - but AS I RECALL - it was without a mag in the gun. I seem to remember it being a different story with magazine inserted. As my mags are with G.T. right now, I can't confirm this at this time.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by zormpas

I've noticed the same thing about the springs (Both my new Wolff and the old ones that came with the gun) not closing the bolt completely - but AS I RECALL - it was without a mag in the gun. I seem to remember it being a different story with magazine inserted. As my mags are with G.T. right now, I can't confirm this at this time.

... ??? ...A full mag??? The magazine holds the bolt open on the last shot...

A WAG would be that the new springs are binding from twisting in the recesses they ride in. Like you, I've given everything a light coat of oil, so it isn't the friction of dry surfaces. They're not oversize for the spring recesses in the bolt.

Pic attached. This is just from drawing the bolt back and 'riding' it forward...You could say that the Luger does the same thing (not go completely forward) but that's apples & orangutans...

[Zorba]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

... ??? ...A full mag??? The magazine holds the bolt open on the last shot...

A WAG would be that the new springs are binding from twisting in the recesses they ride in. Like you, I've given everything a light coat of oil, so it isn't the friction of dry surfaces. They're not oversize for the spring recesses in the bolt.

Pic attached. This is just from drawing the bolt back and 'riding' it forward...You could say that the Luger does the same thing (not go completely forward) but that's apples & orangutans...

Yea, mine does exactly that - but I'll have to wait until I get the mags back to figure out the rest of it - as you point out, what I originally said doesn't quite make sense now...

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by zormpas

As my mags are with G.T. right now, I can't confirm this at this time.

What's Gerry doin' to your mags???

Did you get the 5% extra power magazine springs???

[sheepherder]

Just got a new/repro firing pin from Don Schlickman in today's mail...Don doesn't have a web site but he can send you his price list...

New pin looks right, fits & works great!

I've read posts/articles over the years about the Type 14 firing pin breaking...(Don also repairs original firing pins)...Mine is still intact so I'll store it away where it's safe...

[Zorba]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

What's Gerry doin' to your mags???

Did you get the 5% extra power magazine springs???

He's installing the new (5% extra power) magazine springs and doing a general check out for me. He's also re-springing a new Luger mag I acquired at the same time. He had to drill out one of the rivets on one of the Nambu mags.

[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!

[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...

[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"...