Up here in Canukistan Jap milsurps are few and far between and pretty much confined to collectors. I have never seen a Nambu pistol in real life or an Arisaka rifle. And to be honest... I don’t really care much. I might get punched out by the fan boys for saying so - but these guns look cheap and shoddily made to my eye. I’d much rather have a Colt or a wobbly Webley or a Luger...
And that makes me wonder too. The old samurai order took their weapons very seriously, and the their katana swords were legendary for their quality and balance. I’ve heard historians say that they were the best edged weapons made anywhere, over any time in history. To go from that? To this?
Gah. I’d commit hairykarri or sepukku too!
I'd probably commit sudoku. That's a fate worse than death. Really makes my brain hurt......
ReplyDeleteNotice the similarity to the Ruger .22 and/or the old Crosman pellet gun?
ReplyDeleteAs you probably know, there's a reason for that. Bill Ruger copied....er, drew a lot of inspiration from a Nambu bringback owned by a Marine friend of his.
DeleteThe Baby Nambu to be more precise:
Deletethe story here:
https://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/2019/10/featured-gun-ruger-22-pistol.html
Just before the chinki-pox broke the local Cabelas had about five of the type 14 Nambus sitting in the gun library case. They had been there for a couple years and no one wanted them. They just reopened the gun library and they are now gone. Can't imagine any local customer bought them.
ReplyDeleteGlen, one of my fellow students in Iai has an Arisaka that he restored. It is quite a weapon.
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt that The Empire gave the Marines the very hell of it with the Arisaka, TB. If you caught a bullet from one... it would ruin your day and no bones about it. As a relic or curio goes... they can’t be beat. There aren’t a lot of them around and pristine specimens with the royal chrysanthemum carry price tags that would make your nose bleed.
DeleteBut by WW2 battle rifles began to advance. The American M1 Garand arrived on the scene, as did the German Sturmgewhers. I think the Russkies had that SVT thing by then too. From a technological angle...even against other bolt guns... it was no screaming hell.
I still, to this day, don’t understand why the Japs attacked the US. They had to know that they would lose...?
Because Japan was ruled by an Emperor. Think for a moment: Let's say that you were born to a royal family that owned a country. From the time you are born until whenever, you're surrounded by people whose job it is to anticipate your slightest whim and to enthusiastically fulfill it. No one ever tells you 'no'. You're never punished, ever. You can do as you like at all times.
DeleteYour staff does not insist you learn to read or write, but they encourage it. You aren't forced to learn history or geography or foreign custom. In your own country you dictate custom, and everyone you encounter is happy that you do.
So WWII comes along, and you have generals and admirals, and not all of them are crazy about attacking the U.S. of A. because, you see, Japan could lose. But the war with China is proving Japan is invincible, so - why not?
Cut to a few years down the road, and things aren't going so well. Then you, the Emperor, are told that an entire city has been destroyed. Your enemy sends you a message - unconditional surrender or else. Nobody talks to you like that! You're the Emperor! Then 'or else' happens and your generals, admirals, and other advisors give you the bad news. You're on borrowed time and it comes from a jealous clock.
And, BTW, the Nambu was a cheaply made pistol and likely to blow up in your hand. I've handled one, and I wouldn't care to try shooting it. I need all my fingers and eyes for typing.