World War II Database

Country of Origin	Japan
Type	Handgun
Caliber	8.000 mm
Length	0.230 mm
Barrel Length	0.120 mm
Weight	0.893 kg

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseThe Type 04, also known Type A, semi-automatic pistols were originally designed by Colonel Kijiro Nambu. He demonstrated an early model of this handgun before Emperor Taisho in 1909 during the graduation ceremony at Toyama Military Academy, but the design was not finalized until 1915, or the year Taisho 4, which led to its designation. Although the design was never accepted for military service officially, thousands were sold to Japanese officers who carried them as their side arms. In terms of production, Type 04 handguns were superseded by Type 14 in 1925, but many were still in service on the front lines in China and in the Pacific during WW2.

Source: Ian Hogg, The Encyclopedia of Infantry Weapons of World War II ww2dbase

Last Major Revision: Jul 2014

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