Japanese, WW2 Era, Type 14 Nambu Semi-Automatic Pistol, Small Trigger Guard, Nagoya Arsenal, March 1939, 8mm Calibre, Serial No. 58778, EU Deactivated - 5

*Japanese, WW2 Era, Type 14 Nambu Semi-Automatic Pistol, Small Trigger Guard, Nagoya Arsenal, March 1939, 8mm Calibre, Serial No. 58778, EU Deactivated*

An authentic Japanese Type 14 Nambu semi-automatic pistol serial numbered 58778 to the frame,  chambered in 8mm Nambu calibre, retaining its original wartime configuration together with a period detachable magazine with wartime inspection mark “T44.”

This is a desirable early-production small trigger guard variant, manufactured before the enlarged winter trigger guards introduced on later wartime examples intended for use with gloves in colder operational theatres. Earlier Type 14 pistols such as this are widely regarded as superior in overall machining and finish quality compared with later emergency-war production examples.

The pistol was manufactured under Nagoya Arsenal supervision at the Chigusa factory production line. The right side of the frame clearly displays the Nagoya Arsenal emblem alongside the Nambu factory supervisory mark (南) and a crisp Showa date code of “14.3,” indicating March 1939 production during the 14th year of Emperor Hirohito’s reign. The sub-inspector mark 東 (Higashi) remains visible beneath the date line.

The left side of the receiver retains the classic Japanese kanji safety markings 火 (Fire) and 安 (Safe), together with the deeply struck Type 14 designation 十四年式. The pistol further retains its original 24-rib grooved wooden grip panels together with the distinctive knurled cocking knob characteristic of the Type 14 pattern.

Mechanically, the bolt / slide assembly can be manually withdrawn and removed as photographed, though the pistol does not cock or dry fire due to its deactivated status. The magazine remains removable.

Approx. Measurements: Overall Length – approx. 23 cm. Barrel Length – 100 mm.

History Note:
The Type 14 Nambu evolved from earlier Japanese self-loading pistol designs and became the principal service sidearm of Imperial Japanese forces from the late 1920s onward. Designed under the influence of General Kijiro Nambu’s earlier pistol work, it became one of the most recognisable Japanese military handguns of the Second World War. Although visually unusual when compared with contemporary European sidearms, the Type 14 saw extensive service across China, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific theatre. It was widely carried by Japanese officers, NCOs, tank crews, naval landing forces, and military police personnel, becoming closely associated with Imperial Japanese service during the Second Sino-Japanese War and WWII.

Pre-war and early wartime Type 14 Nambu pistols, particularly those retaining the desirable original small trigger guard configuration, are regarded as significantly more collectable due to their finer machining quality, sharper markings, and superior overall finish compared with the simplified late-war production variants manufactured during Japan’s declining wartime industrial conditions. Surviving early examples are becoming increasingly difficult to source today as a result of wartime destruction, post-war Allied confiscation programmes, and decades of collector attrition.

This March 1939 example was produced during the earlier Nagoya Arsenal supervised manufacturing phase before production later shifted increasingly toward the Toriimatsu facilities and simplified late-war manufacture.

*Condition*
A well-preserved and highly displayable pre-war Type 14 Nambu retaining strong original profile and sharply defined Japanese markings throughout. The metal surfaces display honest age-related wear, thinning finish, scattered oxidation, and areas of fine surface pitting entirely consistent with wartime service and long-term storage. The right-side arsenal and serial markings remain crisp and legible, including the Nagoya Arsenal emblem, supervisory 南 mark, serial number 58778, Showa date code “14.3,” and the small 東 sub-inspector stamp beneath the date divider line.

The left side of the receiver displays typical circular scratching and honest wear consistent with repeated operation of the safety selector throughout its service life, while the Type 14 Kanji markings remain deeply struck and sharply visible. The original wooden grip panels remain intact with excellent definition to the horizontal ribbing and an attractive dark aged patina. A faint secondary inspection or assembly marking appears visible within the grip area behind the trigger loop. The pistol retains its desirable original small-profile trigger guard together with the characteristic knurled cocking knob. The magazine body shows corresponding age and handling wear and retains its stamped “T44” marking beneath an inspection stamp.

Modern Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House EU/GB deactivation proof marks are visible to the lower left frame. The bolt / slide assembly withdraws and removes correctly as photographed, although the pistol does not cock or dry fire due to deactivation. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

Deactivation Certificate Details:
The included Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House EU/UK specification deactivation certificate, numbered 191827 and dated 26/01/2026, records the pistol as a Japanese Nambu semi-automatic pistol in 8mm calibre with a 100mm barrel length. Please note the certificate records the serial number incorrectly as “58773” rather than the correctly observed frame serial number “58778.”  Close inspection of the final serial digit clearly explains the Proof House transcription error, as oxidation and pitting partially obscure the final “8,” allowing it to resemble a “3” under poor lighting or quick visual examination.

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