This is both a very fine and very scarce early model 1902 Army contract "Papa Nambu" pistol made by the TG&E Company. This example is in much better condition than most known examples as it is from the Army contract and did not endure all the salt air that the Navy contract pistols did. This pistol is a first variation that was produced under the Army contract that has the Tokyo Arsenal, intertwined cannon balls symbol on the right side of the frame next to the Kanji characters, and serial number (2212). It is also one of the rare variations that had the earlier slotted back strap that was filled with a steel insert to reuse the frame. The top of the receiver has the small intertwined "TGE" mark for the Tokyo Gas and Electric Company. These pistols are equipped with adjustable tangent rear sight calibrated from 50- 500 meters and a fixed inverted "v" front sight, and the grip safety on the front of the grip strap. It is complete with a correct nickel plated Papa magazine with the extruded aluminum base. However, neither the spine nor the base has been numbered. It may be a field replacement magazine. This scarce pistol is complete with a late production Type 14 leather holster with the later larger square "D" rings on back with a single belt loop in the center. This holster has the clamshell flap with the slightly longer leather clamshell and tab with a single ammunition pouch on the front. It also has the rare improvement of the additional spare firing pin pouch on the front of the holster right next to the ammunition pouch and not on the side like the Type 14 holsters.

Very fine as partially refinished (gripstraps) with 85% plus blue finish remaining on balance with wear, mixed with some light pitting on the sides of the frame under the grips and the very front of the grip safety. The upper part of the trigger guard and upper frame, barrel extension and barrel all have a solid 95% blue finish. The various smaller parts retain 10% of their straw colors overall. The grips are also in very fine condition with a nice dark brown original color overall with nice distinct checkering with light wear across the tops of the checkering and a couple of handling marks only. The holster is in very good condition with a nice dark brown color overall with tight stitching and light handling marks and scratchiest on the front of the holster. At one point in time that was a larger Japanese circular pin or uniform symbol on the front of the clamshell that is now missing but which left a small hole on the lower front edge. This is a very nice, early Army contract, Papa Nambu pistol.