Nambu pistol
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| Nambu Pistol | |
|---|---|
 Nambu Pistol Model 14 (1925) |
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| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin | Japan |
| Service history | |
| In service | -1945 |
| Used by | Japan |
| Wars | Second World War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Kijiro Nambu |
| Designed | 1902 |
| Produced | 1906 - 1945 |
| Number built | 10,300 (Type A, all variants) 279,000 (Type 14) |
| Variants | Type 4, Type 14 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 900 g (1.98 lb) unloaded |
| Length | 230 mm (9.06 in) |
| Barrel length | 117 mm (4.61 inches) |
| Width | 720 g |
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| Cartridge | 8 mm x 22 mm |
| Caliber | 8 mm |
| Action | recoil-spring |
| Feed system | 8 round box magazine |
The Nambu pistol was a semi-automatic pistol used by the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy during the First and Second World Wars. The pistol had two variations, the Type A (also called the Type 4), and the Type 14 (十四年式).
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[edit] History
The origins of the pistol go back to the design by Kijiro Nambu in 1902. He was a prolific arms designer who is sometimes called the "John Browning of Japan". Although the pistol bears a superficial resemblance to the German Luger, it was not based on the Luger's design. However, there is some sort of myth that it may have been based on the German Luger pistol. The Luger uses a recoil-toggle action while the Nambu employs a recoil-spring action.
The Nambu was never officially adopted by the Japanese military as officers were expected to purchase their own pistols. The pistol was made available to officers at the Officers Union, where most officers purchased equipment. It was the most common side arm of the Japanese armed forces, but many officers could, and did purchase more reliable western sidearms.
Most of the pistols were produced by the Tokyo Arsenal with a smaller number manufactured by the Tokyo Gas and Electric company. Large scale production began in 1906 and continued until it was replaced by the Type 14 in 1925. Production of Type 14s lasted until the end of World War II in 1945. Total production numbers are estimated at just under 200,000 for all variants. Most detailed production records were destroyed in the war.
The pistol was removed from service when Japan was disarmed after World War II. Many were taken home by Allied soldiers after World War II despite the fact that it was against regulations. Many have found their way into collectors markets in America and western Europe.
[edit] Details
The pistol is a recoil operated, locked breech, Semi-automatic pistol. The manual safety is located on the left side of the frame. The pistol is striker fired with a single action trigger. The sights are V notch and blade.
A crude but serviceable weapon, it was considered the best Japanese sidearm of the World War II era. However given the generally poor quality of Japanese side arms of this period, that is a small honor. It was inferior to the American Colt M1911, the British Webley revolver and the German Walther P38 and was crude even compared to the Russian Tokarev TT-33.
It was seriously flawed, both in construction, and the ammunition it used. The pistol utilized weak 8 mm ammunition which was considerably less powerful than comparable Western rounds like the .45 ACP, the 7.62 Tokarev, the .455 Webley, and the 9 mm Luger. The safety catch was completely useless, and the magazine springs were weak often resulting in jams.
However, if there was one redeeming feature of the pistol, it is that it was an accurate gun, and the low recoil of the 8 mm ammunition helped improve that accuracy.
[edit] Variants
The original Nambu was the Type A, designed by General Kijiro Nambu in 1902. The type A has two basic variants. The Type A Model 1902 (nicknamed Grandpa Nambu) and the Type A Model 1902 Modified (Papa and Baby Nambu). The Type 14 Nambu replaced the Type A in the mid 1920s.
The Type A Model 1902 Grandpa Nambu was the original variant. The Grandpa Nambu fires the 8 mm round. It is distinguished by a fixed lanyard, a small trigger guard, and grips that did not cover the grip safety pin. Magazine bases were made out of horn on early models and wood on later models. The Grandpas were built to accept a wooded shoulder stock which doubled as a holster. About 2,400 Grandpas were manufactured.
The Type A Model 1902 Modified, or Papa Nambu is generally similar to the Grandpa Nambu but had a swiveling lanyard and aluminum magazine base. The sights, grip, safety and magazine finger pad were also different. The Papas were the most common variant of the Type A with about 10,300 manufactured.
The Baby Nambu was a scaled down version of the Grandpa Nambu that fired a 7 mm round. About 6,500 Babys were manufactured. The Baby Nambu is the variant most sought after by modern collectors. The approximately 550 Babys produced by Tokyo Gas and Electric are the rarest and most desirable of all.
They Type 14 Nambu was designed in 1925 (the 14th year of the reign of Emperor Taisho, hence the designation). The Type 14 was an improved version of the Type A Nambu, and is generally similar in dimensions and performance. About 279,000 Type 14s were produced. Later production models are distinguished by an enlarged, oblong shaped trigger guard.
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
| Japanese infantry weapons of World War II |
|---|
| Side-arms |
| Type 26 Revolver | Nambu Type 1 | Nambu Type 14 | Type 94 |
| Rifles & carbines |
| Type 38 | Type 38 Cavalry Carbine | Type 44 Cavalry Carbine | Type 97 Sniper Rifle | Type 99 |
| Submachine guns |
| Type 100 |
| Machine-guns |
| Type 11 Light Machine Gun | Type 96 Light Machine Gun | Type 97 Light Machine Gun | Type 99 Light Machine Gun Type 1 Heavy Machine Gun | Type 3 Heavy Machine Gun | Type 4 Heavy Machine Gun | Type 92 Heavy Machine Gun |
| Support weapons |
| Type 93 and 100 flamethrowers | Type 10 Grenade Discharger | Type 89 Grenade Discharger | Type 97 20 mm AT Rifle |
