This is an exceptional example of a very scarce and desirable WWII Japanese "Baby Nambu" pistol as manufactured by the Tokyo Artillery Arsenal in Koishikawa Tokyo. These pistols were never officially adopted by the Japanese military, but were intended as private purchase sidearm by high raking officers of the Army and Navy. The top of the chamber area bears the four intertwined cannon balls of the Tokyo arsenal and the right side of the receiver has the Japanese Kanji markings over the serial number "3048". It has matching serial numbers on the underside of the bolt, the back of the magazine and on the inside of each grip panel. Approximately 5,900 examples of the finely finished, compact, "Baby" Nambu pistol were manufactured before production ceased. These pistol had a high quality rust blue finish on the main parts of the pistol with a straw colored finish on the small parts such as the trigger, magazine release, extractor, firing pin and end cap with the bolt having a bright, "in the white" appearance. As noted this pistol is complete with two nickel plated magazines with the aluminum base, both of which have matching serial numbers (3048) on the spine of each magazine. The grips are finely checkered mahogany. The "Baby" Nambu is perhaps one of the most desirable Japanese semi-automatic pistols and have always been highly prized in any Japanese military collection, with this exceptional example impossible to improve on.

Excellent with 97% of the original blued finish overall with just a hint of edge and high spot wear overall with a very, very minor spot of pin-prick pitting on the front edge of the mainspring housing. The various small parts retain 70% of their straw colors. The holster is in very fine condition overall, with a nice even light brown color overall, with tight stitching showing some minor wrinkling of the leather on the ammunition pouch and lower front of the holster. As noted this exceptional example has matching numbers to include both magazines. ADDITIONAL INFO: Mismatched firing pin and striker.