Japanese Type 14 "Nambu"

Where to Check for Matching Numbers

by Danny

The Japanese Type 14 pistol was a common souvenir for members of the American armed forces to bring back from the Pacific Theater of WW2. Thanks to their high production numbers and strict firearm regulations in post-war Japan, many Type 14 pistols made their war back to the United States. If one of these collectibles crosses your path, you may want to know where to check for the assembly numbers as matching examples bring a premium over non-matching. This article will assume you already know how to disassemble the Type 14. If not, watch a quick video or online guide and come back.

The first and easiest place to check is the magazine. This is probably the most commonly mismatched part of the Type 14. Check on the backside of the magazine near the bottom.

Another easy one, as you disassemble the pistol and remove the cocking piece check the front part.

When removing the striker pieces, look at the left side of extension wing. These will be the smallest numbers and hardest to read.

After removing the trigger guard, check on the top of the forward portion of the assembly.

Make sure to catch that locking block if it falls out during the next dissassembly steps. Check it close to the circular portion on the side that faces forward.

The bolt doesn't actually need to be removed from the barrel extension for the numbers to be visible. Just check the top of the bolt right next to the threaded section at the rear.

Now, hold up the frame, as if the pistol was being aimed at you, and look near the top above the magazine release. If the magazine safety numbers are not quite visible, inserting an empty magazine will tilt it downwards making it easier to read.

Lastly, check the underside of the barrel and assembly towards the guide rail.

So as you can tell, it appears most of the numbers match this particular example of Type 14.

A good rule of thumb for figuring value is the pistol takes a larger initial hit for the first mismatched number, but then a smaller hit for each subsequent mismatch. Of course a huge variety of factors such as condition play into value, but that should give you an idea of the type of devaluation that mismatched numbers cause.