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18OF-1 BABY NAMBU PISTOL #46

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,000.00 USD
18OF-1 BABY NAMBU PISTOL #46
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Japanese. Baby Nambu. Prototype. Serial Number 46. Extremely Rare. This Exact gun is featured in the Books; "Hand Cannons of Imperial Japan" by Derby on pages 74-77 and in "Japanese Military Cartridge Handguns 1893-1945" by Derby & Brown on pages 76-80. There are 9 Differences in the prototypes from the standard Baby. The Most Noticeable is the Wood Base Magazine and the Omission of the Lanyard Loop. In Derby's Book it is described as "Exceptionally Rare"! Of the Early Prototypes, serial number 1 is suspect and has been restored. Serial number 6 has been "Reported" but not evaluated. Another in the 40 serial range is known and it has been restored. This to date, THE ONLY TOTALLY ORIGINAL PROTOTYPE KNOWN. All matching except the Magazine (number 62) and the Grips (numbered 16). It was for many years in the Collection of the WWII Veteran who brought it back and has been in 2 other private collections since. It was reported that this Pistol was given to him by a member of the Japanese delegation who boarded the U.S. Battleship Missouri when the Japanese Surrender Documents were signed. Sadly the veteran passed away and left no written documentation. This is an Extremely Rare Baby in Exceptional Totally Original Condition with NO "Restoration" or "Reworking".
Condition: Very Fine Collector Condition Throughout. Beautiful "Straw" colored small parts have minimal fading. Bore is Bright with sharp rifiling and a trace of pitting. Grips show minor wear but have No chips, cracks or repairs. Wood Base Magazine has No cracks or repairs. The front of the trigger guard has a few minor dings. Not "Perfect" but "REAL"! (C& R/No PPT) Est.: $6,000-$12,000