Japan's Interim Handgun: The "Papa" Nambu

Published on April 1, 2020
Duration: 11:19

The Papa Nambu, an evolution of Kijiro Nambu's 1902 design, was produced from 1906 to 1928. It features improvements over the Grandpa model like a larger trigger guard and a swiveling lanyard loop, and is chambered in 8mm Nambu. Despite 'Army Type' markings, it was primarily adopted by the Japanese Navy. Production ceased with the introduction of the Type 14 Nambu.

Quick Summary

The Papa Nambu, an improved version of Kijiro Nambu's 1902 design, was produced from 1906-1928. Chambered in 8mm Nambu, it featured a larger trigger guard and swiveling lanyard loop. Despite 'Army Type' markings, it was primarily adopted by the Japanese Navy before production ended with the Type 14 Nambu.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Nambu Pistols
  2. 01:28Papa Nambu Development History
  3. 02:08Markings and Caliber (8mm Nambu)
  4. 03:48Grandpa vs. Papa Nambu Comparison
  5. 05:13Mechanical Operation Explained
  6. 05:45Field Stripping and Safety
  7. 09:21Production and Adoption Details

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Papa Nambu pistol?

The Papa Nambu, officially the Modified Nambu Automatic Pistol Type A, is an early Japanese semi-automatic pistol developed by Kijiro Nambu. It served as an interim handgun, produced between 1906 and 1928, and featured improvements over its predecessor, the Grandpa Nambu.

What caliber is the Papa Nambu pistol?

The Papa Nambu pistol is chambered in the 8mm Nambu cartridge, also known as 8x22mm. This caliber was standard for many Nambu pistols and offered moderate performance for its time.

What are the key differences between the Grandpa Nambu and Papa Nambu?

The Papa Nambu features a larger trigger guard for gloved use, a swiveling lanyard loop instead of a fixed one, and an aluminum magazine base plate, distinguishing it from the earlier Grandpa Nambu models.

How is the Papa Nambu pistol field stripped?

Field stripping the Papa Nambu involves a unique process where the barrel is depressed, and then the trigger guard is slid downwards. Caution is advised due to the fragility of the firing pin.

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