SOLD - Rare, Gorgeous Japanese Papa Nambu - TGE Tokyo Hybrid

4/30/18 - This is a very uncommon variation of the Japanese “Papa” Nambu pistol, made in the early-mid 1910s for Imperial Japanese Navy. Only about 500 guns were made with both the Tokyo arsenal symbol on the right side of the frame and a TGE logo on top of the chamber.  Most Papa Nambus saw extended service in the Japanese Navy all the way through the end of WWII. Many went down with the Japanese ships and the few that remained had been exposed to humid salty tropical environment. This particular gun is in excellent condition and still has the beautiful original lustrous rust blue of the early pre-war years.  There is an area of finish loss on the trigger guard and some minor thinning to the muzzle and back strap, as well as a small area of pinpricking on the receiver.  All the proofmarks are intact and the bore and grips are beautiful and have no defects. All numbers match except for the magazine.