#30A • WWII Nambu Type 90- 3 Barrel Flare Gun

Part of Red Gallery - Memorial Day Extravaganza Auction - Day 1 (timed auction by K and B Auction)

High bid $236.00

Status: Sold

1930-45 Nambu Type 90- Japanese Navy 3 Barrel, 28mm Flare Gun- 1st model by Kayaba Kogyo. Marked "244" on top with maker's marks for Kayaba logo which is followed by "244", inspection mark and the Imperial Japanese Navy's Anchor proof. On right side above trigger is "Pat. No. 93006". The early variation had wooden grip plates and a vertical break-open lever with finger recess and indicate an early production. The placement of serial numbers and marks are not consistent with late model flare guns. Being the only triple-barreled flare pistol ever built, they stand out among Japanese collections. In all, roughly 5300 Type 90 flare pistols were produced with about half of them being the triple barreled variant. The barrels had colored indicators on them indicating which flare was loaded as standard, remnants are still visible. The three-barreled version's barrels were marked one green decal on the right-hand barrel, one white decal on the top barrel, and one red with a yellow center stripe decal (to indicate red or yellow flares) on the left-hand barrel. White flares were used for illumination at twilight and night, black smoke was used for obscurement, and the colored flares were used for signalling. The shells had cardboard hulls with a brass or steel base. Comes with one spent casing (German aluminum shell dated 1935-expired 1944). In good condition for age- wooden grips have a cavity at back were safety indicator was located. Cocking mechanism is not currently functioning. All guns need to be checked for function by a gunsmith before use. Though we believe to be authentic, it has yet to be third party authenticated. BP