This is a beautiful example of an original, documented pre-war Japanese Baby Nambu pistol that was manufactured by the Tokyo Koishikawa Arsenal, and liberated in the 1945/46 time frame. This wonderful pistol is accompanied by a handwritten letter documenting that it was liberated at the end of WWII by Sergeant Phillips in Yokohama, Japan. The letter notes that Sergeant Phillips was originally in the American Division in Europe and after the surrender of Japan his unit was ordered to Yokohama, Japan, to disarm and document the Japanese Army. He was ordered to catalog and warehouse all surrendered weapons. This pistol along with a second Baby Nambu and two holsters were all shipped in an unopened wooden box still covered in grease. Sergeant Phillips and his secretary both took one pistol and holster. The letter goes on to state that it has been in the family possession since the end of the war for over 75 years remaining unfired, with its matching magazine and leather holster! This pistol has a high quality rust blue finish and straw colored trigger, magazine release, sear pivot pin and bolt lock with a bright finished bolt, and checkered mahogany grips. The magazine has a nickel plated body with an aluminum base. 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 "3951". It has matching serial numbers on the underside of the bolt, the back side of the cocking knob, back side of both grip panels, the bolt lock/striker guide and probably the firing pin; however, its covered with grease inside. It still has its original matching numbered magazine. It is complete with an original brown leather Baby Nambu Clam shell pattern holster as noted above, that has the four intertwined cannon balls of the Tokyo Arsenal over the Kanji markings inside the flap, along with its original cleaning rod inside. The "Baby" Nambu pistol is perhaps the most desirable early Japanese semi-automatic pistol.

Excellent with 97% plus of the original blued finish overall with only 40% of its straw colors on the various parts with the balance a gray patina having flaked off to the handling over the years. The grips are also in excellent condition. The holster is in exceptionally fine condition with a nice medium brown color overall, all the stitching remaining and showing only minor scuffing on the top edge and high point of the flap from handling and storage. The markings in side are clear and readable. An outstanding, documented "fresh-to-the-market" Japanese Baby Nambu Pistol rig.