This is an example of a professionally restored early Japanese Grandpa Nambu rig complete that is complete with two original matching magazines with a matching reproduction Grandpa Nambu wooden shoulder stock/holster. This specific rare example of the 1902 Grandpa Nambu pistol is fully described in detail on pages 44-51 of the excellent work "Japanese Military Cartridge Handguns 1893-1945" by Derby and Brown. The top of the receiver has the standard four intertwined cannon balls of the Tokyo Artillery Arsenal and the three small Kanji acceptance proofs on the right side of the slide above the serial number. The front grip strap has a small Thai, Charka property marking over a small acceptance proof, (as noted in the reference above), and it is theorized that these pistol were part of an early Thai contract that was filled with already produced arsenal stored or manufactured pistols to fill specific orders. This may account for the higher serial number ranges of these contract pistols. These early 1902 Nambu pistol shoulder stock/holsters were heavily influenced by the 1896 Mauser pistol design which also utilized a similar combination wooden shoulder stock/holster. The stock on this example as noted is an excellent reproduction that was manufactured 25 years ago and is an almost exact duplicate of the originals. It is serial numbered on the rear edge of the shoulder strap plate. Unlike the Mauser design, these Japanese stocks have a short all metal telescoping extension that allows the overall stock to be more compact when stored, and can be fully extended to the correct length to function, akin to a short rifle design. This early Grandpa Nambu has the very early desirable features such as the very small trigger guard, the tangent rear sight graduated from 1-5 (100-500 meters) marked on top, the small lanyard fixed loop that has been attached to the rear of the frame, the convex or domed shaped cocking knobs, the small trigger with the rounded edges, the working front grip safety with an early style magazine release. Both magazine are original to the pistol; however, they also have reproduction walnut bases that also correctly match the original bases. Each magazine body still retains their original nickel plated finish and serial numbers, (1765 and 1765.) on the spine. It is estimated that only a total of approximately 2,400 Grandpa Nambu pistols were ever produced. These pistols were produced with a rust blued finish with straw colored small parts such as the extractor, trigger, bolt lock, magazine catch assembly, sear bar and pin, and recoil spring guide. The grip panels and base on the magazine were made of walnut.

Very fine with 98% of a beautifully restored, rust blued finish with restrawed colors on the smaller parts. The markings are clear and sharp and the edges remain correctly contoured and not polished off. The grips are also in very fine condition with nice sharp distinct checkering on both sides. The reproduction combination wooden shoulder stock/holster is also beautifully made and as noted is an almost exact match for the original version with a beautifully rust blued metal finish with a walnut stock body. The pistol has matching numbers overall as noted above to include both magazines and the shoulder stock. An excellent, very nice looking Japanese Grandpa Nambu pistol rig.