This is a very nice example of a 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 is a early-production piece manufactured at the Tokyo Artillery Arsenal in Koishikawa Tokyo and it has a high quality rust blue finish and straw colored trigger, magazine release, sear pivot pin and bolt lock with the bright polished bolt. It has a nickel-plated magazine with the extruded aluminum base with the matching serial number on it. The grips are finely checkered hardwood grips. The chamber bears the Tokyo Arsenal markings of the four intertwined cannon balls, and the left side of the receiver is marked with Japanese characters that identify the model above the serial number 1516. The matching serial number is also visible on the underside of the bolt and on the lower magazine spine. Approximately 6,500 examples of the finely finished, compact, baby Nambu pistol were manufactured before production ceased in 1927. The baby Nambu is the most scarce and desirable Japanese semi-automatic pistol.

Excellent overall with approximately 95% of the original blue finish remaining with the balance a dark blue/brown patina, with some more wear and oxidation on the rear grip strap with several areas of minor pin-prick pitting on the recoil spring housing, the front right side of the slide area, by the chamber markings and on the front underside section of the barrel. The grips are in excellent condition with nice matching color on both sides with minimal handling marks. As noted it has matching numbers on the various parts including the clip. A very nice example of a scarce baby Nambu pistol.