Japanese Militaria at Castle-Thunder.com

[BFSteiner]

I pulled out my dad's Type 14 that he brought back from Japan during WWII and started researching info on the internet. I found TallTeri's site and it addressed all the markings except one. Based on her info I have a Toriimatsu First Series Pistol manufactured in December 1941. The serial number is 50025. My question is this; the mark "00" appears above the 50 of the serial number. What does this mean?

Background: My dad was in a naval intelligence group that went to Japan to retrieve Japanese equipment to bring back to the US to study. He told me that he pulled this pistol, and holster from the cockpit of a Japanese Zero that they had retrieved.

[gwsiii]

Welcome to the forum!

WOW! Lucky you! Those are very desirable pistols, those double-zeros mean its worth a bit more than your average Type-14! If you ever get tired of it, let me know . See the Nambu Data Wanted page on the BANZAI Website, its from a few years ago, and a little confusing, it says they think it meant (then) that serialization really started at 01.

Now my 2% of that dollar, Some Type 38 Rifles were similarly marked with double or triple zeros when the were pulled from service for non-Active Army related use. ROTC/School groups, veteran's organizations, etc...Some were manufactured brand new and marked with double and triple zeros or circles preceding the serial number. What does this have to do with pistols, I don't know, but it is something similar, and there is usually a reason.

Type-14 or Rampage may drop by and let you know for sure if documents have surfaced that tell exactly why those double-zeros are there though.

What a Great piece of Family history! Trey
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!

[type-14]

First let say, that what you have there is a second class firearm and you must offer it up to me at the soonest moment. When Torrimatsu started up the first couple hundred were done with straight firing pin lugs. This provided to be a weak point (weaker than other issues with the firing pin) and all of them were removed from service and the "OO" added to designate them as second class firearms. I do believe that later in the war many of them were issued out as they were need. What we need to know is how the bolt is cut for the firing pin lug and if you have a center lug firing pin. Photos would be very helpful. Rampage does not have this listed so it is helpful to get the info to fill gaps. With that serial number your pistol should be dated 16.12. If you want you can email at crabtreeda@cox.net and I'll help you out with getting the data record. I posted photos of a couple along with comments a while back on Gunboards, if interest see http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=17949

[type-14]

Had the pleasure of a very good visit with the proud owner of 16.12 “00” 50025 Saturday morning and thought I would pass onto to y’al the good news.

First off, Teri's web site has once again helped a new owner in his quest for Nambu data. In this case just trying to figure out what his dad had returned home with.

OK for the details. Pistol is in about 95% plus condition with only normal holster and firing wear marks. All numbers match except for the magazine and the striker guide. All numbers are stamped using the same die stamps in that he 5 is noticeably larger than the 02. The striker guide is stamped 024 which had to happen at the arsenal and if “00” 50024 ever turns we need to find out if striker guide 025 is in it. Has the center cut in the bolt and center striker lug which is expected and the thickness of the lug is 3.84mm One other thing that is noticeable is that the arsenal stamps and serial number stampings are much lighter than on my 16.12 “00” 50044.

The miss-match mag is a Type-VI serial #347 dot with the “N” inspection mark. He is of course is now looking for a Type-VII #025 with the “NA”, “re” or M marks in the smaller size.

It came in a Type-III holster, couldn’t make out any markings as it looks like the inside of the cover had been covered in some type of sealant. Holster has some wear marks were it looks like it was rubbed against something a lot. As this was found in the cockpit of a Zero that could explain the wear marks. Also came with a nickel cleaning rod with the “N” inspection mark.

The only other thing I can mention is that it came with one those bailing wire canvas slings. Explained to the owner that it was all wrong for the holster and about the only thing it was good for was a short leash to use in his pick-up to keep his dog from jumping out!! No seriously, it is a super nice quick release sling. 14 dated with good clear “TO” mark. Trey, this is way better than that one you saw on the 38 carbine in Montgomery last month. No rust on the metal and very few stains. One of the nicer ones I’ve seen.

Well there you have it.

[gwsiii]

Dale, appreciate the update, glad we were able to help him out. Really appreciate your expertise! Trey
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Fill out a Japanese Rifle Datasheet.
I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!