Jap type 94
I just bought the above at a local auction. Can anyone tell me the appx manufacture date. The only numbers on the right side of the slide are: at the rear by the lanyard 15.11 and the serial number over the trigger 1451X. There are Jap characters on both sides which I cannot describe. Is ammo available at a reasonable price? I am very happy to get this since I have always wanted a Jap pistol from WWII. Thanks, Tom
PS I paid $206, is that a fair price? Magazine number matches and the finish is about 80% or so. T
Those who beat their swords into plowshares will plow for those who dont.
PS I paid $206, is that a fair price? Magazine number matches and the finish is about 80% or so. T
Those who beat their swords into plowshares will plow for those who dont.
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Tom, you now own an example of what most experts would rate as the worlds worst designed automatic pistol. Around 70,000 of these were made between 1935 and 1945, all pistols were for military use, there are no known commercial examples of Type 94 pistols. Pre war fit and finish was not considered too bad, but the level of quality fell off sharply during the war years and by late 1943 these pistols were getting pretty shoddy in construction and by wars end they were often unfit for service. Because of this most authorities agree that the later production Type 94 pistols be reserved as curios and not fired. Your pistol however was made in November, 1940 and would be considered a shootable example if 8mm ammunition could be located. Commercial 8mm aummunition may be available from some specialty sources (Old West Scrounger?- read that as pricey) but this cartridge is considered to be obsolete. Surplus military ammo in shooting condition is collectable in its own right and sub collector grade 8mm is probably prone to misfire. $200 sounds like a fair price for a Type 94 in the condition which you describe.
Mark T. Christian0 -
Mark, as usual, you came up with great info. This gun does seem to be pretty well built but tool marks are very prominent all over. I don't think I would hesitate at all to fire it. I am surprised that it was made that early. I have done a little searching for the ammo and it is pretty pricey. I probably won't be shooting it that much. Thanks for the info. Tom
Those who beat their swords into plowshares will plow for those who dont.0 -
Buffalo Arms is now providing reformed .40 S&W for the 8mm Nambu very reasonably, $35.00 per hundred. They also list CH/4D dies for $57.00. RCBS dies list for $134.95.
Jacketed, plated and cast bullets are available from Liberty, Buffalo, and Huntington, which also have HDS brass for $21.98 per 50, if you need an 8mm headstamp.
This may be one of those cases where a shared equiptment arrangement is useful. Do you know anyone else locally with a Nambu? There are many of them out there languishing away.
Cheers from Grayest California,
Ross0 -
Ross, thanks for very useful info. I certainly would like to build some ammo and shoot this thing. Alas, I am probably the only person in MS to own one of these so chances of sharing dies is slim. I may shop around on the net and I may find someone who can help me out. Again, thanks for very good info. Tom
Those who beat their swords into plowshares will plow for those who dont.0 -
Certainly no great design, they are not quite as bad as Mark suggests.They are safe to fire under normal conditions, but beware that they can be assembled WITHOUT including the locking block! Strip it first to check that the block is in place. It is also possible (if unlikely) to fire by pressure on the sideplate. This led to the nonsence that it was a suicide gun. Air and armored personel preferred them to the T-14 because they were more compact.
Morty
Have fun, be careful!0 -
Hi Morty, thanks for making me feel a little better about the gun. However, I did find out that you can press the bar on the L side and the gun will fire. That certainly could be dangerous to someone who did not know this. I have searched the net and cannot find instructions on how to take this thing apart. Could you point me to a website or give me instructions here? Thanks much, Tom
PS I did find someone selling ammo made from another cartridge (40 cal?). Tom
Those who beat their swords into plowshares will plow for those who dont.0 -
Tom, I have not taken a Type 94 apart in years but while we are waiting for Mort to tell us a worse automatic pistol design ("not quite as bad as Mark suggests") than the Type 94, I'll try to walk you though the disassembly procedure.
Pull the slide to the rear until the mag follower locks the action open. Now pull the slide back as far as you can and hold it in place as best you can with the fingers of your right hand- a third hand would be very helpful- but if you only have two like most of us (perhaps the designer invisioned Type 94's issued only to troops with three hands) just do the best you can. Inside the rear portion of the slide there is a locking block. This is held in place by the firing pin which should now be in its rearward position. Use the index finger of your left hand and insert it into the underside of the rear portion of the slide and push the firing pin forward. You should now be able to push out the locking piece form right to left (you may need a small punch). The rear portion of the slide is now freed and you can pull it off the back of the frame. You are half way home now Tom.
Now hold onto the front portion of the slide, remove the magazine, and let the slide run forward into the locked position. You should now be able to push on the muzzel and the slide should unlock and come off the frame. Remove the barrel locking key and the barrel should lift out of the frame. Taking a Type 94 apart beyond this level is an exercise in madness because everything else is screwed (hammer or trigger) or pinned/staked together. Chances are whoever took the pistol apart before you got a hold of it buggered up the screw heads so I'd just leave well enough alone. Assembly is the exact reverse and is usually no problem. "IF" you get this pistol disassembled and reassembled let me know via e-mail how you feel about Major Kijiro Nambu's final pistol design.
Mark T. Christian0 -
Mark, I think this is a 4 had job if you have to use a punch to remove the locking block. I believe I have it down but this is a real 6 pack job. I'll have to drink one before I get brave enough to try it. How on earth did you know about the buggered screw heads? A previous owner really did screw them up.
I have some ammo on the way and I will wait until I put a few rounds thru it before I take it apart. It is pretty clean right now.
The major really out did himself on this one, hey?? Thanks for your good instructions. Tom
Those who beat their swords into plowshares will plow for those who dont.0 -
"Firearms Assembly #4", available thru NRA has illustrated takedown. In the past I have made ammo from 38 spec, 38 super and others, but the best (I think) now is from 40 S&W. It is not simple but it is doable with a minimum of tools. Email me if you want details.
Morty
Have fun0 -
Mark, Ross & Morty: Thanks to all you guys for your good help. I had a little time on my hands this morn so I thought, Why not. I tore that little sucker down without too much trouble. Had no "OH s==t" parts go sailing past my ear never to be seen again. Cleaned and oiled it and pt it back together. Had a little problem, didn't know exactly where the "ears" on the frame fit to the slide but by taking the recoil spring off, I finally got it to go and put it back together. It functions as designed and I actually had no left over parts.
I have 100 rounds on the way from a seller and when they arrive, I'll get to shoot this thing.
Since this is the 10th post, if I have any other questions/comments, I will post them on the general forum.
Again, thanks to you all. You really helped me out. This is what makes this forum so great. Tom
Those who beat their swords into plowshares will plow for those who dont.0
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