Yes, I was thinking hundreds till I posted all the information and pictures over at the "Arms of the Rising Sun" forum.
See the post here.
That forum, like this one, has bonifide experts who have written books on Japanese militaria and are very willing to help a newbie like me evaluate a Nambu. This is not the first one to catch my fancy. They have saved me from making unwise purchases in the past. I might also add that the experts here have done the same.
Everyone agrees the pistol is in great condition, original, and matching; but, it is not rare. The 12.12 series was produced in the thousands; its sole attractiveness is its condition, all matching, and originality.
However, even given its condition, the price being asking is way out of line with the value of the pistol as they see it.
They said that on a good day, in today's Nambu market, it would be worth about 1000.00 and that is a stretch.
At a minumum, if it had a second mag and a lanyard, then the price being asked may be justified.
Anyway, I am not going to purchase it. According to the seller, he paid in the 12-13 range for it from FGS firearms about 5 years ago.
Also, I noticed that he has dropped the price.
Richard