Nambu Model 1902 First Type (Grandpa)

The original Nambu was the Type A, designed by General Kijiro Nambu in 1902. The nambu is a recoil-operated semiautomatic pistol with a grip safety in front of the trigger guard. The Type A had two basic variants with the first group of Nambus produced between 1903-06, different than those produced after 1906. Among collectors, the original Nambus are commonly referred to as Grandpa Nambus. The Grandpa Type A was produced up to serial number 2400 (1902-1906). Both the Tokyo Arsenal and Tokyo Gas and Electric Company ceased production on the Type A Nambu in 1923. The Nambu Type A outwardly resembles the Luger P08 pistol but functionally is more similar to the Mauser C96. The Grandpa Nambus also had a wooden bottom magazine and welded lanyard loops. The Type A originally had a provision that allowed for the installation of a shoulder stock, based on the C96. Unlike the Mauser design, these Japanese stocks have a short, all-metal telescoping extension that allows the overall stock to be more compact when stored and can be fully extended to the correct length to function like a short rifle. These early Grandpa Nambus have the early desirable features such as the very small trigger guard, small trigger with the rounded edges, a domed shaped cocking knob and a walnut base on the magazine. They were also fitted with a tangent type rear sight graduated from 1-5 (100-500 meters). They also have a small lanyard loop attached to the rear of the frame. The grip panels and base on the magazine were made of walnut. The shoulder stock is made of cherry wood. Grandpa Nambu Pistol in great condition (97%) with matching magazine and matching shoulder stock is very rare today. Only 75 are accounted for in the noted reference book, and only two noted with a matching shoulder stock. One of those two was sold in 2016 on U.S. market for $31,000.