Nambu 1902

Nambu Large-Model (Kou) "Grandpa Nambu" - 8x22mm Nambu

Nambu Large-Model (Otsu) "Papa Nambu" - 8x22mm Nambu

Nambu Small-Model "Baby Nambu" - 7x20mm Nambu. This is the screen-used firearm handled by Takumi Bando in the film Letters from Iwo Jima. Thanks to James Georgopoulos.

The Nambu Large-Model Automatic Pistol was designed by Kijirou Nambu in 1902. It was the first semi-automatic pistol designed in Japan, and the precursor to the Nambu Type 14 pistol. Although it was purchased privately by Army officers, the pistol would not be formally adopted and thus did not receive a "Type (year)" style designation. There would ultimately be three models of the pistol, the Large-Model (Kou), Large-Model (Otsu), and Small-Model, with "kou" and "otsu" being roughly equivalent to "A" and "B". The two Large-Models are chambered in 8x22mm Nambu with 8-round magazines, while the Small-Model uses the scaled down 7x20mm Nambu cartridge in 6-round magazines. The Otsu variant can be most easily distinguished from the earlier Kou by its larger trigger guard, flexible lanyard swivel, and aluminum (as opposed to wood) magazine baseplate.

The three models would later be nicknamed "Grandpa Nambu", "Papa Nambu", and "Baby Nambu" by Western sources, and the two larger models are often (incorrectly) referred to as "Type A" and "Type A improved", with the smaller model as "Type B".

A small batch of "Baby Nambus" were modified into pistol swords in the 1920s, with an extended frame/magazine and a guntou blade attached to the right-side grip panel. A follow up experiment using the later Type 14 was also conducted.

Specifications

(1906 - 1928)

• Type: Pistol

• Caliber: 8x22mm Nambu

• Weight: lbs ( kg)

• Length: 9 in (22.9 cm)

• Barrel length: 4.75 in (12.1 cm)

• Capacity: 8-round magazine

• Fire Modes: Semi-Auto

The Nambu 1902 and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:

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Film

Title	Actor	Character	Note	Date
Letters from Iwo Jima	Takumi Bando	Captain Tanida		2006

Anime

Title	Character	Note	Date
Case Closed - Season 18		Ep. "Two Days with the Culprit (Second Day)"; seen in Satoshi Kanda's arsenal	2009 - 2010
Night Raid 1931	Kazura		2010
Golden Kamuy - Season 2	Private Hyakunosuke Ogata	Ep. "Fakes"	2018
	Sergeant Hajime Tsukishima	Ep. "Fakes"
	Lt. Col. Yodogawa	Ep. "Into the Belly"
The Magnificent Kotobuki	Johnny	"The Great Airship Robbery" (E08)	2019
	"Elite Industries" men, Air pirates
Golden Kamuy - Season 4	Genjiro Tanigaki	Ep. "Fakes"	2022-23
	2nd Lt. Koito Otonoshin	Ep. "Fleeing Karafuto"