page_title: Nambu pistol
section_title: Type A
hierarchical_section_title: Nambu pistol / Common design / Type A
caption_attribution_description: English: Nambu Automatic Pistol Type A "Grampa Nambu" 8mm c. 1902
context_page_description: The Nambu pistols were a series of semi-automatic pistols produced by the Japanese company Koishikawa Arsenal later known as the Tokyo Artillery Arsenal. The series had five variants, the Type A Model 1902, the Type A Model 1902 Modified, the Type B, the Type 14 and the Type 94.
  The pistols were designed by Kijiro Nambu and saw extensive service during the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II. The Type A was made in very small numbers. Type A Modified and Type B Nambus were never formally adopted by any branch of the armed forces of Imperial Japan but were sold to officers through officer stores. The Type 14 was adopted as an official sidearm.
  As World War II progressed, and particularly in the final year of the war, in order to speed production, Type 14s began to be more hastily manufactured with a subsequent decline in quality.
context_section_description: The original Nambu was the Type A, designed by General Kijiro Nambu in 1902. The Type A had two basic variants with the first group of Nambus produced between 1903-06 different than those produced after 1906. Among collectors, the original Nambus are commonly referred to as Grandpa Nambus. The Grandpa Type A was produced until around serial number 2400. Both the Tokyo Arsenal and Tokyo Gas and Electric Company ceased production on the Type A Nambu in 1923.  The Nambu Type A outwardly resembles the Luger P08 pistol but functionally is more similar to the Mauser C96.
  Grandpa Type A Nambus have multiple variances from the later Type A Modified. The Type A Modified, commonly referred to as Papa Nambu, were produced at the Tokyo Arsenal until the 7000 serial number range. The trigger guard of the Grandpa Type A Nambu were considered extremely cramped especially when wearing gloves and were enlarged in later produced models. 
  The Grandpa Nambus also had a wooden bottom magazine and welded lanyard loops. Papa Nambus had aluminum bottomed magazines with lanyard loops retained in rings. Both the Grandpa and Papa type Nambus may have the Siamese juk symbol stamped on the rear grip indicating service in Thailand before World War II.
  The Type A originally had a provision that allowed for the installation of a shoulder stock, based on the C96.
caption: Original "Grandpa" Type A
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