To buy the nambu or not to buy the nambu?

[Skyguns MKII]

Pawn shop near my house has a Japanese nambu pistol for 300$

BUT! The original grips we're lost and replaced with a very 80s arcadic looking clear plastic  ...

I don't have much insight on milsup guns and want to start building my WW1/2 historic collection. I was hoping somebody here would have a opinion on the price and if its worth talking down or should I run while I still can...

[Rich46yo]

If the pistol is in decent working shape leave the house right now and RUN to that store and buy it.
You can always get used grips or reproduction grips, even custom made grips that look like the real thing. If a holster comes with the thing try not to scream when you get it for $300.

While the nambu's went thru the wide range of very good to quite crappy thru the course of the war as Japanese manufacturing went down the toillet a Nambu for $300 is still a very good price. IJA collectables are very hot right now and are in demand.

[Skyguns MKII]

If the pistol is in decent working shape leave the house right now and RUN to that store and buy it.
You can always get used grips or reproduction grips, even custom made grips that look like the real thing. If a holster comes with the thing try not to scream when you get it for $300.

While the nambu's went thru the wide range of very good to quite crappy thru the course of the war as Japanese manufacturing went down the toillet a Nambu for $300 is still a very good price. IJA collectables are very hot right now and are in demand.

No holster included. THANKS!

[Ack-Ack]

Do you know which Nambu model it is? 

[Nefarious]

I recently saw a very nice one at a local shop, he had reduced the price to like 739.99.

Very tempting as I am a collector and especially interested in owning a Japanese firearm.

[Skyguns MKII]

Do you know which Nambu model it is?

Not sure but me and the guy at the local gun shop who also took a look talked about it and so far all we really know is that it may be a later war model. Not yet sure of origin or if origin even effects it like the nagants.

[BuckShot]

Some nambu pistols can be fired w/o pulling the trigger, design flaw. There are several vidoes online about it.

Be extra careful with that one.

[Ack-Ack]

Not sure but me and the guy at the local gun shop who also took a look talked about it and so far all we really know is that it may be a later war model. Not yet sure of origin or if origin even effects it like the nagants.

If it's a Type 14, it should be without the grip safety and should be able to tell the year of manufacturer as it should be stamped with the month and year of manufacturer according to the calendar of the Emperor.

[Skyguns MKII]

If it's a Type 14, it should be without the grip safety and should be able to tell the year of manufacturer as it should be stamped with the month and year of manufacturer according to the calendar of the Emperor.

Went back to take another look, perhaps this will help...

[shotgunneeley]

Judging by my source "Standard Catalog of Military Firearms" (7th Edition) by Phillip Peterson, this seems to be a later model (by the large trigger guard) Type 14 Nambu Pistol. On the right side of the receiver (below the serial number) you'll see the numerals "16.6". This means that the gun was produced in the 16th year of Hirohito's reign during the sixth month, or 1941-June. Approximately 73,000 of these (large trigger guard) Nambu t-14 pistols were made between 1939 and 1945.

Hope this helps!

[Skyguns MKII]

Judging by my source "Standard Catalog of Military Firearms" (7th Edition) by Phillip Peterson, this seems to be a later model (by the large trigger guard) Type 14 Nambu Pistol. On the right side of the receiver (below the serial number) you'll see the numerals "16.6". This means that the gun was produced in the 16th year of Hirohito's reign during the sixth month, or 1941-June. Approximately 73,000 of these (large trigger guard) Nambu t-14 pistols were made between 1939 and 1945.

Hope this helps!

It does very much so! Thank you! So what would you say? Worth 300?