Baby Nambu (Type B)
Tokyo Artillery Arsenal / Tokyo Gas & Electric Co. · Pistol · Out Of Production · 1909
Also known as: Type B Nambu, 7mm Nambu Automatic Pistol
Overview
The Baby Nambu (Type B) is a scaled-down version of the full-size Type A Nambu pistol, chambered for the smaller 7mm Nambu cartridge. Mechanically near-identical to its larger sibling, it faithfully reproduces the short-recoil, locked-breech, striker-fired action and grip safety in a compact, three-quarter-size package. Privately purchased by Imperial Japanese officers as a status symbol rather than issued as a standard service arm, only around 6,500 were made.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 610 g (21.5 oz) |
| Overall Length | 170 mm (6.69") |
| Barrel Length | 83 mm (3.27") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 7 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 340 m/s (1115 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 208 J (153 ft·lbf) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7mm Nambu · primary — also known as 7x20mm Nambu, 7mm Nambu Automatic
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Grip Safety
- Features: Scaled Down Nambu Action, Locked Breech, Serial Numbered Parts, Fixed Sights
Service history
Operators
- Imperial Japanese Army
- Imperial Japanese Navy
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Estimated total produced: 6,500 · Production years: 1909-1929
Expensive to produce due to the miniaturized locking mechanism; one of the more prized Japanese collector pistols
Origin
Country of origin: Japan
Designer: Kijiro Nambu
Discontinued: 1929
Notes
First-pattern guns (roughly the first 450) have a wooden magazine base and a single-diameter firing pin; later guns use an aluminum magazine base and a multi-diameter firing pin. Production passed to Tokyo Gas & Electric Co. around 1923.
Background
Never general-issue, the Baby Nambu was privately bought by officers as a compact badge of rank. Because it reproduced the costly locking mechanism of the full-size Nambu in miniature, demand stayed slim and only about 6,500 were ever made.