I think I found the answer...
USAF General (ret.) Lew Curtis is a collector of Chinese firearms from the 1920's-40's timeframe and he has pretty much pinned down what I have.
It is now established that it is a nationalist Chinese aresenal-made pistol which was probably made just before WWII. Lew said the design features of my pistol are close to what he already has in his collection. Also, several of these were bought new (or had presented to them) in China by US airmen serving over there during the war.
Thus, it is very likely a war "bring back" by one of our guys.
I did some research on the previous owner and it turns out he was in the Army Air Force in the Pacific in WWII and apparently did bring it back with him in 1946.
The pistol is now going to Lew for his collection as it is right up his alley. It has stunning rust bluing and I have considered keeping it, but, Lew is a gentleman and will appreciate it more than I will.
The Tom
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