This is a beautiful example of a very scarce and very desirable "Baby Nambu" pistol. These pistols were intended for private purchase by high ranking officers befitting their rank and status in either the Army or Navy. They were developed and produced at the same time the larger Grandpa Nambus were (1909-1923) but they were reduced in size to be of a more Gentlemanly size and were designated as a "Nambu type B" to differentiate it from the larger ones. They were never officially adopted by the military but were recognized as an "Authorized" firearm for use. This specific pistol is actually a fairly early model of which very few have surfaced to date, the earliest documented being serial number 447. This pistol was manufactured at the Koishigawa Tokyo arsenal and it has a high quality rust blue finish and straw colored trigger, magazine release, sear pivot pin and bolt lock. The bolt is finished bright. The magazine has a nickel-plated tube and aluminum base. The grips are finely checkered. The chamber bears the Koishigawa, later Kokura, markings of the four intertwined cannon balls, and the right side of the receiver is marked with Japanese characters that identify the model above the serial number "555". The serial number is also visible on the underside of the bolt (6284) and on the lower magazine spine (6284) and the grips bear serial number "555". Approximately 6,500 examples of the finely finished, compact, "Baby" Nambu pistol were manufactured before production ceased in 1927. The "Baby" Nambu is, perhaps, the most scarce and desirable Japanese semi-automatic pistol.

Excellent overall with a solid 95-97% of the original blue finish remaining with some oxidation and very minor pin-prick erosion on the back strap with some wear on the grip safety on the front strap, was well as minor wear on the edges and high spots. It retains approximately 20-30% of the straw coloring on the trigger and extractor. The grips are in very fine condition showing minor wear on the tops of diamonds overall with some very minor chips and dings in a couple of place just from actual field use. The markings are clear and sharp. Still a very rare and desirable Baby Nambu pistol, which would be the center piece of any collection.