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Desirable Japanese Baby Nambu Pistol Serial Number "500" with Matching Magazine

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,300.00 USD Estimated At:3,250.00 - 4,500.00 USD
Desirable Japanese Baby Nambu Pistol Serial Number  500  with Matching Magazine
This is a very nice example of a very early, three digit serial number Japanese "Baby Nambu" pistol as manufactured by the Tokyo Koishigawa arsenal. These pistols were intended as private purchase sidearms by high raking officers in the Army and Navy. This pistol has a high quality rust blue finish and straw colored trigger, magazine release, sear pivot pin and bolt lock with a bright finished bolt. The magazine has a nickel-plated body with an aluminum base. The grips are finely checkered hardwood. The top of the chamber area bears the four intertwined cannon balls of the Tokyo arsenal and the right side of the receiver has the Japanese Kanji markings over the serial number "500". The matching serial numbers are also visible on the underside of the bolt, the back side of the cocking knob, the back of the magazine, and on the inside of each grip panel. It is complete with 10 rounds of original WWII Japanese 7mm Nambu ammo. Approximately 5,900 examples of the finely finished, compact, "Baby" Nambu pistol were manufactured before production ceased. The "Baby" Nambu is perhaps the most desirable Japanese semi-automatic pistol.
BBL: 3 1/2 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 7 mm Nambu Auto
Finish: blue
Grips: mahogany
Serial Number: 500
Condition: Very fine overall with 70% of the original blue finish with some blue finish loss on the main spring housing, and the upper right side of the slide, almost like where old blood removed the finish and slightly etched the metal. The grip straps show some browning with several light areas of fine surface rust just starting to form. The grips are both in very fine condition overall with a nice dark brown matching with good checkering showing light wear on both sides with no cracks or damage. A very nice example of a Baby Nambu pistol with a unique serial number.