SOLD - Rare, Minty Japanese Papa Nambu - TGE Tokyo Hybrid

Description

3/12/18 - This is a very uncommon variation of the Japanese “Papa” Nambu pistol, made in the early-mid 1910s for Imperial Japanese Navy. Only about 500 guns were made with both the Tokyo arsenal symbol on the right side of the frame and a TGE logo on top of the chamber.  Most Papa Nambus saw extended service in the Japanese Navy all the way through the end of WWII. Many went down with the Japanese ships and the few that remained had been exposed to humid salty tropical environment. This particular gun is the best we have seen in years. It still has the beautiful original lustrous rust blue of the early pre-war years and has just a few tiny discoloration spots here and there, and some dulling of the grip straps, with  98% of the original blue remaining overall.  All the proofmarks are intact and the bore and grips are beautiful and have no defects. The right grip is marked with Japanese Navy “rack” number in white paint. All numbers match except for the magazine.  A stunning example of an early Japanese Papa Nambu that is worthy of any collection.