Nambu Type 14

Work on the development of the Nambu Type 14 pistol began in 1916 in response to the complex production and high cost of the previous A and B models. The chief designer was Major Kijiro Nambu, who designed a simpler and cheaper version of this self-loading pistol. The Japanese army approved the new design and officially adopted it into service in 1926 under the designation Type 14.

The pistol was intended primarily for non-commissioned officers and officers, but later the Japanese Navy included it in its armament in 1927. The first production lines were started at the Nagoya Arsenal, where production continued until 1932. In addition, the Koishikawa arsenal also participated in production. In 1933, Major Nambu established his own company, the Nambu Rifle Manufacturing Company, to which all production equipment from the Nagoya Arsenal was transferred. In 1936, the company was renamed Chuo-Kogyo, which continued to manufacture pistols until the summer of 1944. The Nambu Type 14 pistol remained virtually unchanged throughout production, with the exception of a few improvements. In the 1930s, the firing pin was modified and in the late 1940s the trigger guard was enlarged to allow the gun to be operated comfortably with gloves. In total, approximately 230 000 were produced.

The Nambu Type 14 pistol was chambered for the specific 8×22 mm Nambu calibre and had a capacity of 8 rounds in a single-row magazine. The overall length of the gun was 230 mm, the barrel length was 117 mm and the weight was approximately 900 grams. Its design was inspired by European self-loading pistols, especially the German Luger P08, but it had a simpler design with a fixed barrel and short breech block.

Despite efforts to simplify production, the pistol retained a high quality of workmanship. However, it had some weaknesses, such as poorer ammunition performance and somewhat complicated handling. Nevertheless, it remained the main service pistol of the Japanese armed forces throughout World War II. After the end of the war, surviving examples became sought-after collectors' pieces, especially among lovers of Japanese military history.