This is an extremely rare example of a late WWII Japanese Type 19 semi-automatic pistol that was manufactured at the North China Industries factory in Beijing China while under the occupation forces of the Imperial Japanese Army, in early/mid 1945. It is estimated that only "50" total were every manufactured with only 6 known to exist today, with this example being serial number "26" was manufactured half way through the total production before the surrender of Japan in 1945 and the liberation of mainland China. Obviously the few surviving examples were brought home by returning GI's after the War with any other example(s) remaining in China. Outwardly they appear very similar to the standard Japanese Type 14 Nambu, only considerably larger, with much rougher machining and manufacturing techniques. A unique aspect of this model is that it was manufactured using a one-piece all steel forged frame in lieu of the multi-piece frame of the T14 pistol, making it much simpler to manufacture and much more durable and robust design. The trigger is actually just pinned into the receiver versus the two or three piece design of the T14 and it has single locking lever on the right side of the frame. It still used the same fixed front and rear sight with ribbed, slab-sided, hardwood grips. The left side of the frame has four small Kanji marks along the upper edge over a small circular arsenal mark for the North China factory followed by serial number "26". It still used the same style of breech bolt and cocking lever as the Type 14 pistol. It has matching "assembly" numbers on the cocking piece, underside of the breech bolt, back side of the magazine body and the back side of each grip panel. It has an all blued metal finish.

Fine with 40% of the original thinning blue finish overall with clear sharp markings and proofs. The slab grips are in very fine condition with the matching medium brown color on both sides showing nice serrations on the sides mixed with some light handling marks across the face of the grips. Mechanically functions, but safety lever is loose and magazine is stiff when bolt is retracted. A rare example of a late WWII Japanese Type 19 semi-automatic pistol.