This is a very fine example of an original pre-war 1902 Naval contract Papa Nambu pistol as produced by the TG&E company under the supervision of the Tokyo Artillery Arsenal, Koishikawa Tokyo. Only approximately 1500 were produced in this first block of pistols. These were a continuation of the earlier Grandpa versions of the Nambu pistols usually without any provisions for a shoulder stock. As noted this specific pistol is a very early "1st Model" Naval contract that has the first type, two-piece, non-milled frame with the stock slot filled in with the "A" type Naval anchor proof. The right side of the upper receiver has an "Naval Anchor" markings next to the Kanji characters/inspector markings over the serial number "524". The top of the chamber has the circled "TGE" markings of the Tokyo Gas and Electric company that produced these pistols for the Japanese Navy. These pistols are equipped with adjustable tangent rear sight on top graduated from 100- 500 meters and a fixed inverted "v" front sight, grip safety on the front of the grip strap, lanyard loop on the rear of the frame. They have an all rust blued finish with straw colored trigger and extractor spring. The grips are the original checkered mahogany versions and it is complete with one magazine with aluminum floor plate numbered "558" on the spine.

Very fine with 85% of the original blue finish still remaining on the pistol. The upper portion of the pistol (trigger guard and upper frame and receiver) still retains 90% of the original blue finish showing some minor oxidation and browning overall with some very minute pin prick pitting on the recoil spring housing and right front edge of the upper receiver, from sitting in a holster. While the front and rear grip straps have pitting overall and the blue finish has oxidized and turned a dark brown patina. The matching grips are also in very fine condition with nice distinct checkering. The bolt, cocking knob and grips are all matching. A very nice example of a Naval contract Papa Nambu pistol.