mawkie
C&R Whisperer
-I've watched friends somd_mustangs and kh195 post some impressive Japanese Type 94 pistols over the years. Encouraged, it put me on the path to find an early example for my collection. I gravitate towards the earlier, finer finished example of Japanese arms and that's what I focused on finding. Recently the market for Type 94s has taken off and I thought I just might have taken too long in my search for just the right one.
-Then I ran across a forlorn T94, Type II listing on Gunbroker with no bids and two days left before it closed. Production date placed it in November 1937, just two years into production, and with an early SN in the high 3000s. While showing some surface corrosion the magazine was the correct Type II, nickle plated configuration and was numbers matching. The bakelite grips were also the correct large checked pattern for Type II. Screw heads weren't buggered and the frame screws were the correct, early non-recessed type. The strawed parts showed patina but that didn't bother me. The only finish blemish was some minor pitting on the rear of the frame, just above the lanyard ring. This one pulled my trigger!
-The seller had this interesting story in the listing - Developed for the Imperial Japanese Army this Nambu was captured by an officer named Irwin from Knoxville, TN during WWII. The round in the chamber snapped on the primer and did not fire - saving his life. He brought the pistol home in the U.S. holster that is pictured. The three rounds, including the misfire; remained in the pistol .
-While there was no mention of matching numbers I noticed the matching magazine and had a strong hunch that the rest of the gun matched too. So I put in a bid and got it for just below $600 delivered. Upon disassembly I discovered all is indeed matching. Bore is in excellent condition. The original owner and the US officer both took good care of it.
-My luck held yet again when I was able to snag an early, pebble grain holster for it for under $200. So I've got less than $800 in a matching rig.
-Then I ran across a forlorn T94, Type II listing on Gunbroker with no bids and two days left before it closed. Production date placed it in November 1937, just two years into production, and with an early SN in the high 3000s. While showing some surface corrosion the magazine was the correct Type II, nickle plated configuration and was numbers matching. The bakelite grips were also the correct large checked pattern for Type II. Screw heads weren't buggered and the frame screws were the correct, early non-recessed type. The strawed parts showed patina but that didn't bother me. The only finish blemish was some minor pitting on the rear of the frame, just above the lanyard ring. This one pulled my trigger!
-The seller had this interesting story in the listing - Developed for the Imperial Japanese Army this Nambu was captured by an officer named Irwin from Knoxville, TN during WWII. The round in the chamber snapped on the primer and did not fire - saving his life. He brought the pistol home in the U.S. holster that is pictured. The three rounds, including the misfire; remained in the pistol .
-While there was no mention of matching numbers I noticed the matching magazine and had a strong hunch that the rest of the gun matched too. So I put in a bid and got it for just below $600 delivered. Upon disassembly I discovered all is indeed matching. Bore is in excellent condition. The original owner and the US officer both took good care of it.
-My luck held yet again when I was able to snag an early, pebble grain holster for it for under $200. So I've got less than $800 in a matching rig.
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