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Title:	PISTOL, SEMI-AUTOMATIC -  JAPANESE PISTOL TYPE 94 8MM SN# 69002
Maker/Manufacturer:	NAMBU, KIJIRO
Date of Manufacture:	1945
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 8353
Measurements:	OL: 7 1/4" BL: 3.7" 1.11 lbs. unloaded

Object Description:

JAPANESE PISTOL TYPE 94 8MM SN# 69002
Manufactured by Chuo Kogyo, Tokyo, Japan - Standard Japanese semi-auto pistol. Blued finish, two piece smooth wood grips. Blade front with fixed square notch rear sight. 6-groove rifling, right hand twist. Muzzle velocity 1000 fps. Weapon weighs approximately 1.11 lbs. unloaded. Complete with 6-round magazine.

Markings:
Frame: Right side: 20.3 (indicating manufactured date of March, 1945/Japanese characters for Kokubunji factory of Chuo Kogyo. 69002.

Weapon donated to the Springfield Armory NHS by Mr. & Mrs. Ed Rivers, Agawam, Ma. on 18 June 1992.

Notes: "Confronted by sales resistance to his designs, due primarily to their bulk and price, Nambu set about designing a smaller and cheaper pistol in 1929. The first prototypes were submitted to the Army for their evaluation, whereupon the ordnance department began tinkering with the design, one result of which was the unprepossessing appearance and another a far higher price than even the 14th Year Nambu. Nevertheless, since the Army had approved the idea, the design was accepted and put into production in 1935. An estimated 70,000 or so were made before production ceased in 1945. Although pre-war guns were well made and finished, the Type 94 rates as one of the world's worst automatic pistols. The design allows it to be fired before the breech is locked, and an exposed sear bar can be released to fire the pistol if clumsily handled. Breech locking is done by a very simple vertical locking block which is cammed out of engagement during recoil. Guns manufactured in 1944-5 are generally crudely put together and finished." - Hogg & Weeks

References:
Hogg, Ian V. & John S. Weeks. RIFLES OF THE WORLD. 7th Ed. Krause Publications. Iola, Wi. 2000.