This was one of the many handguns used by the Imperialist Japanese forces during the second World Wars. The pistol had two variations, the Type 4(or type A) and the Type 14.There were many of these guns built during the second World War, these numbers count to 10,300 Type A’s and 279,000 Type 14’s. The specifications included that it would weigh 900g (1.98 lb) when unloaded, will be 230mm long, the barrel length will be 117, and the width should be 720g, the cartridge size would be a 8×22mm Nambu cartridge, the bullet would be an 8mm bullet, the action will be a recoil-spring, and the feed system will be an 8 round box magazine.

The origins of the pistol dates back to 1902, and was designed by Kijiro Nambu. Mr. Nambu was the chief designer of almost every gun the Japanese used during the Second World War. The pistol shares a striking resemblance to the German Luger, but it was not based on the luger’s design. The luger uses a recoil-toggle action while the Nambu uses a recoil-spring action. These pistols were not introduced to the Imperial Army because the officers were expected to buy their own guns. The pistol was made available to them at the Officers Union, where most officers purchased equipment. Even though this was a common side arm, officers decided to buy more reliable western side arms.

Most firearms were introduced in small numbers by Tokyo Gas and Electric companies. Large scale production began in 1906 and it continued until it was replaced by the type 14 in 1925. Production of type 14s lasted until the end of WWII in 1945. The number of manufactured variants are just under 200,000 variations. The production ended at the end of the war due to Japan being forced to disarm after the loss of the war.

The pistol is a recoil operated, locked breech, semi-automatic pistol. The manual safety is located on the left side the frame. The pistol is striker fired with a single action trigger, and the sights are a V notch and blade Even though it is a crude weapon, it was considered the best design of the Japanese side arms of the World War II period. However given the generally poor quality of Japanese side arms of this period, that is a small honor. It was inferior to the American Colt M1911, the British webley revolver, and the German Walther P38, it was even crude compared to the Russian Toksrev TT-33.

The Type 14 was actually introduced into the Imperialist Japanese Navy in 1915. The later productions were fitted with a mush larger trigger housing to fit the hand of a shooter wearing gloves. The Pistol was only used by officers and MPs of the Imperialist Japanese Army until Japan’s surrendered.

It is seriously flawed, both in construction, and ammunition used. The pistol utilized a weak 8 mm cartridge, which was considerably less powerful than comparable Western rounds like the .45 ACP, the 7.62×25mm Tokarev, the .455 Webley, and the 9×19mm Parabellum. The safety catch was completely useless, and the magazine springs were week and often resulted in jams. On the positive side, the Nambu was accurate, and low recoil of the 8mm round helped improve that accuracy.

However, there was one redeeming quality that had apparently caught the eye of William B. Ruger who had acquired a captured Nambu from returning to the U.S. Marines, shortly after WWII ended in 1945. Bill Ruger duplicated two “baby” Nambus in his garage, and although he had decided against marketing them, the handgun’s rear cocking device and the Nambu’s silhouette was incorporated into one of the most popular .22 semi-automatic pistols ever to enter the U.S. firearms market, when in 1949 the Ruger Standard (and later Mark I, II, and III) pistols were sold in U.S. public.

The original Nambu was the Type 14, designed by General Kijiro Nambu in 1902. The Type A has two basic variants, the Type A model 1902 and the Type A 1902 Modified. The Type 14(Baby Nambu) replaced the Type A (Grandpa and Papa Nambu) in the mid 1920s. The Type A Model 1902 was the original variant and fires the 8mm round. It is distinguished by a fixed lanyard, a small trigger guard, and grips that did not cover the grip safety pin. Magazine bases were made out of horn on early models and wood on later models. The Type As were built to accept wooded shoulder stock which doubled as a holster. About 2,400 Type As were manufactured during the time they were commissioned in the war.

The Type A Model 1902 Modified, or Papa Nambu, is generally similar to the Type A but had a swiveling lanyard and aluminum magazine base. The sights, grip, safety and magazine finger pad were also different. The Papas were the most common Variant of the Type A with about 10,300 manufactured.

The Baby Nambu was a scaled down version of the Grandpa Nambu that fired a 7mm round. About 6,500 Babys were manufactured. The Baby Nambu is a variant most sought after by modern collectors. The approximately 550 Babys produced by Tokyo Gas and Electric are the rarest and most desirable.

The Type 14 Nambu was designed in 1925 (the 14th year of the reign of Emperor Taisho, hence the designation). The Type 14 was an improved version of the Type A Nambu, but is generally smaller in dimensions and performance. Later productions are distinguished by an enlarged, oblong shaped trigger guard.