Not sure if I should start a new thread or not, so I'll just put this in here.
I bought what was presented to me as a japanese pistol war trophy from a friend of my Dad. It was $20 and for a a 16 year old kid, I was estactic.
Now, twenty years later, I have finally figured out what it is. I was afraid that it wasn't really Japanese... that it might be something from Korea or China. I let my father in law take it to the Antiques Roadshow, but he couldn't get to the right person in time while he was there. That was 2 years ago, and somehow I misplaced it. Didn't know if he never gave it back, I lost it, or who knows. Well I finally found it this weekend and I quickly hopped on the web to see what I can find.
Turns out its Type 94. And when I did the calculations to determine the date of manufactuer, I had to let out a little shriek of joy when it came out Aug '44.
I'm missing the magazine. Think that is hard to find?
Turns out they are worth $300-600 now. Pretty cool for a $20 investment.
It has been suggested to me by some friends that I need to get my gun card as well, just in case. So I need to find a local gun store for that.
I'm stoked!