Ah, the classic Nambu... :)

What's the one above it, top right?

thats typ 94 pistol, which apparently had a major design flaw and tend to backfire.

Tch. Pity, it's a good looking bit of ordnance.

Yep, because of a pin peeping out from the case.BOOM!

the only Japanese I can read is the katakana that say "balance", "grip" and "frame" XP curse these language barriers...oh well, very interesting to see so many pieces of history from this event ^^

The Taisho pistols are great for target shooting, with cheap ammo, pin-point accuracy, and a surprisingly sturdy construction.

Not that little Nambu in the upper-left corner, though; they're dangerous to fire!

That being said, still many Japanese officers of both world wars still brought european made pistols. I know that doing WW2 that many Japanese officers would take captured American, British, or Dutch pistols over there own. One popluar model was the Mauser C96 Broomhandle. Both the German and the Chinese made models where used.

I've read that as well, and also that Japanese officers purchased their own personal equipment.
It's funny how a country that puts a couple hundred warships in the water within 20 years nickle-and-dimes it's troops.

It's not so odd that officers purchased their own equipment; British officers generally did the same. Besides, until the war was in full swing, it was still common for sons of highly-placed people to be rewarded with officerships. They could afford their own pistols.

Well, I know that it was common during the Franco- Prussian War. of 1870 -1871. The Bavarian officers had to buy their own pistols as well. To me, the Japanese Military should have been more like the Germans and try to up grade whatever they could. Even the rifle where a little odd. I personally think that the Japanese would have done better with German made weapons. Then again, the government favor the Navy over the Army ever since the Russo- Japanese War.

I can confirm that. I talked to a Chinese WW2 veterans and he mentioned that the Japanese Luger (Nambu) pistols he found was unreliable and apparently Japanese would even try to get their hands on these Mauser. I wonder what they (Japanese) would do with the ammo for these.

Yes. I am a Chinese Canadian. As "The Republic of China" instead of the Communist "People's Republic" of China.

I have a Type 14 just like this one.

The type 94 has it's sear bar exposed; which can be squeezed to discharge the pistol by accident.

In good condition, early production type 94s can be fired safely with properly loaded ammo- but should not be trusted, and should be left without a round in the chamber until ready to fire at the range.

Type 14s are fun to shoot, but ammo usually has to be handloaded as factory made stuff from Norma or Fiocchi is way too expensive and usually impossible to find.

-Badger-

WWII (In China) was a clash between these guys and the Mauser Pistols. Needless to say, Germans make great firearms.

Ah the old Nambu. I had one of those once, finicky little things. Never did shoot it, too afraid to XP

Type 94 isn't called the "Suicide Pistol" for nothing. It's considered one of the most dangerous pistols ever made, if not THE worst. Because of it's exposed sear bar on the side of the slide. So, you don't even have to pull the trigger to shoot it! I could only think of someone unfortunate enough to not be aware of this dangerous flaw by carrying with a round in the chamber, sliding it into the holster the wrong way, and ends up taking a chunk out the side of his/her leg! If this pistol was made today, it would NEVER pass an ordinance board! (Heck, just knowing that it did makes me think," WHY?!") I get that it's a last ditch pistol. But, yeah it's garbage. Yet, it is a collectors piece. I turn 21 next year, and I have been thinking of getting one. (But you can bet I would never carry it!) Just to own history.