Nambu Questions for the Experts
Hello all.
I am new to the boards and hope to learn as much from the experts here as possible on a Nambu pistol in my possession.
It appears to be a model 14 from other listings I have seen. Manufacture date stamp is 14.9 which I think translates to Sept '39.
Numbers are 66660 and they match on the stock and pin but the mag is 664. There is one on auction # 66560 which looks similar so as my guess to the type. Any other places to view numbers?
One side has some slight pitting and rust. Other side is fairly clean.
Questions below:
Can this be cleaned up? Will it degrade the value if cleaned/restored?
What type ammo would it chamber? 7 mm / 8 mm ? Other?
Is this a grandpa or referred to by any other name?
Is my guess on manufacture date correct?
I would like to fire this if possible? Any danger involved in that?
Thanks a bunch. Looking forward to responses.
I am new to the boards and hope to learn as much from the experts here as possible on a Nambu pistol in my possession.
It appears to be a model 14 from other listings I have seen. Manufacture date stamp is 14.9 which I think translates to Sept '39.
Numbers are 66660 and they match on the stock and pin but the mag is 664. There is one on auction # 66560 which looks similar so as my guess to the type. Any other places to view numbers?
One side has some slight pitting and rust. Other side is fairly clean.
Questions below:
Can this be cleaned up? Will it degrade the value if cleaned/restored?
What type ammo would it chamber? 7 mm / 8 mm ? Other?
Is this a grandpa or referred to by any other name?
Is my guess on manufacture date correct?
I would like to fire this if possible? Any danger involved in that?
Thanks a bunch. Looking forward to responses.
0
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The date is correct. Papa was the one before the one you have. Yours is properly called a Type 14. 8mm Nambu is the cartridge and barring some defect (like a missing locking block) you can fire it just fine.
You should have a round trigger guard instead of a later elongated one for used by a gloved finger. However, without a photograph, I'm not much good even writing about what to look for. Numbers should be on all major parts.
Due to it's construction with a barrel as part of the receiver, it was one of the most accurate pistols used in WWII. They're a hoot to shoot. Just oil it and don't refinish it. Enjoy.0 -
Hey P3Skyking
Thanks for the info. I should post some pictures but the trigger guard is round.
Will the oil break up/clean up the rusting?
Were you a naval aviator crewman? I was an NFO/TACCO on P3C Orions for many years.0 -
Oil alone will not remove or dissolve the rust. I would highly recommend the Big 45 Frontier Metal Cleaner (website) to clean off the rust. It works as advertised. There is nothing you can do about the pitting - it is there forever. Being a collectable, it is best to just leave it as it is, as P3 stated. However, the rust should be removed, which will leave more pitting under it.
Added: Very hard rust can be removed by scraping with a sharp-edged piece of brass or copper (a new penny) which will not damage or scratch the metal or bluing. Then brush the pits out with a brass brush.0 -
Howdy TACCO. I flew for 12 years out of Moffett as an Ordnanceman. 31, 50, 48, 50 again, and 19. Did you ever know Bob Cerwonka or Steve Young. They were my first TACCO's.
If you need ammo, look on the auction side as someone will have it. It's not loaded that powerful and fails to eject in some strong spring guns, but not others. If you get your photos online, email them to me. There were three different cocking knobs on Type 14's. Yours should be the knurled with three orbits.0 -
P3 I am in the process of loading up some pics. My battery died and is charging.
I did not know Bob or Steve but was a part of the Black Lightning Camp as an Instructor TACCO just prior and as they decomissioned.
Before that was VP-16 out of NAS Jax. Went to VP-31 instead of 30 so my wife could be closer to her family.
This mag has a very strong spring.
Pics in a few minutes.0 -
Here are the pics. 
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Some serious pitting but hey,,its a ww2 pistol,,,clean what you can,,not to hard and leave as such. Small guard is correct as stated,,an advanced collector piece its not,,but still a piece of history.[:)] 0 -
Any disassembly manuals floating around for these? 0 -
Howdy BlastU1,
I'll just add bit bit what has been said or what you may already know...
Rather than "restore", clean and preserve are my watch words-- total restore, i.e. stripping & bluing, etc will demise the value.
Kroil is good rust buster. However, take care with the wood grips-- just a drop of on those rusty grips screws, let it set up, then taking time with correct head hollow ground screw driver should bring them out unscathed. P.B. Blaster,(from wally-mart) will do the same, but not sure if safe for the bluing? Kroil is good to go, and I use rags of denim jeans to work it around.
Numrich Gun Parts catalog shows a very decent exploded parts view-- it may be on-line to look at? Don't know of any manuals, though.
Aha, knew I had it somewhere, Parts view:
http://stevespages.com/ipb-nambu-14.html
Side note: Got Orions in my area still at it for forest fire drops. Very agile the places they can get to and most glad they up there doing the deed!
45er0 -
BlastU1,
Your pistol looks to be correct. I've cleaned up a lot of worse guns than yours so get yourself some good oil (Kroil, Breakfree, etc.) and a bronze, brass, or copper bristle brush, apply oil, and lay on. The brush won't hurt the blue, but will remove the rust.
Lots of books detail disassembly, my fav is W.H.B. Smiths PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. Hunnicutts MILITARY PISTOLS OF JAPAN is another. Gunboard Forums is online and have a specific heading for weapons of Imperial Japan.
You can clean the grips by bringing them almost to a boil or use hot soapy water and a plastic wool sponge. Allow ample time to dry and apply boiled linseed oil or another coating to preserve.
Provided all parts are present, you should have no problem firing it. Many of these have broken firing pins, but check yours and if it is, no problem. It can be replaceed or repaired very easily (yes, you CAN repair a broken Nambu firing pin).
Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
M0
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