type 14 Nambu #2

MFC · 08-19-2009, 11:55 PM

A friend of mine asked me to put this on the forum for revue.
This is a letter from the previous owner to my friend who owns the gun now.

I purchased this pistol many years ago, sometime in the 60's at a gun show. A young man, who's father was in WWII, as a US Army soldier, brought it back from Okinowa, as a war souvenir. He had passed away leaving it to his son. As the son came into the show trying to sell it, after asking all the dealers in the show for bids, before stopping at my table, the only offers he had were $60 and $75. I purchased it for $125 because after examination, I knew it had to be special, as there was no date of Mfg., arsenal markings or regular issue serial#, so I puchased it as an oddity. I've had it in my collection since then. Only about two years ago, after a new book on nambu pistols came out, I found them to be, "Familerization Pistols", used in factory training only.
The book's author only shows two others #3 and #6. This put my pistol #2 as one of the three known to this date. As their records listing Mfg. no longer exist, only time will tell how many were made, or survived the war. Because these were not listed as issue firearms, it can only be guessed at. They were gathered at wars end, to arm soldiers in the Japanese Army that were sent to the island of Okinawa. As this was their last airstrip, if the USA took this island they would be in range to bomb their homeland.
Hope this information helps you with your collection.

08-19-2009, 11:55 PM	#1
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	type 14 Nambu #2 A friend of mine asked me to put this on the forum for revue. This is a letter from the previous owner to my friend who owns the gun now. I purchased this pistol many years ago, sometime in the 60's at a gun show. A young man, who's father was in WWII, as a US Army soldier, brought it back from Okinowa, as a war souvenir. He had passed away leaving it to his son. As the son came into the show trying to sell it, after asking all the dealers in the show for bids, before stopping at my table, the only offers he had were $60 and $75. I purchased it for $125 because after examination, I knew it had to be special, as there was no date of Mfg., arsenal markings or regular issue serial#, so I puchased it as an oddity. I've had it in my collection since then. Only about two years ago, after a new book on nambu pistols came out, I found them to be, "Familerization Pistols", used in factory training only. The book's author only shows two others #3 and #6. This put my pistol #2 as one of the three known to this date. As their records listing Mfg. no longer exist, only time will tell how many were made, or survived the war. Because these were not listed as issue firearms, it can only be guessed at. They were gathered at wars end, to arm soldiers in the Japanese Army that were sent to the island of Okinawa. As this was their last airstrip, if the USA took this island they would be in range to bomb their homeland. Hope this information helps you with your collection. Attached Thumbnails Attached Images __________________ Mike C.