Nambu World: Type 14 Accessories

There are lots of accessories to go with Type 14 pistols, although many of them are now rarer than the guns themselves. Because there is so much stuff, I have broken this page into parts so you can load and view it bit by bit.

First, let’s look at holsters. There are many variations of holsters, eleven of which are “officially” distinguished in the “bible” of Nambu collecting, the Derby & Brown book, in Japanese Military Cartridge Handguns 1893-1945 by Derby & Brown (see page 179). This book is referred to hereafter as JMCH (see the section on books for details on how to get one—it really is worth acquiring). I now have all eleven of these types, all shown below. I have divided them into four groups based on the type of strap rings on the back (oval or square), the type of closure strap (solid leather strap or spring-loaded) and the material they are made of (leather or rubberized canvas). It should be noted that there are a large number of minor variations, so not all holsters will look exactly like one of these types. There are also private purchase holsters that may look nothing like these, especially if they are shoulder holster designs.

Holster Types I to IV are all made of leather and have a solid leather closure strap like this one.

The earliest holsters for the Type 14 pistol are made of leather and have oval strap rings on the back, much like a Papa Nambu holster. Here is what an oval strap ring looks like.

There are two variations of holsters with oval strap rings. Type I (left) has no pocket for a spare striker, while Type I(A) (right) does have such a pocket, located to the right of the ammo pouch on the body of the holster under the clamshell flap. Until you open the flap they look pretty much the same, although the clamshell flap on this particular Type I(A) is larger and flatter.

To find out more about the Type 14 leather holster with the oval strap rings (JMCH Type I; left), click here: t14h1pix.htm

To find out more about the Type 14 leather holster with the oval strap rings (JMCH Type IA; right), click here: t14h1apix.htm

The next three types of leather holsters (Type II, III and IV) have the same solid leather closure strap as shown above and have square strap rings on the back. Here is what square strap rings look like.

Both Types II and III have square brass rings, while Type IV has square steel rings. The difference between Types II and III is again the presence or absence of the pocket for a spare striker inside under the clamshell flap. Type II (left) has no pocket to accommodate a spare striker (firing pin). Type III (middle) does, as does Type IV, the steel-ring variant (right). In fact, all the the holsters from Type III to Type X have the spare striker pocket.

To find out more about the Type 14 leather holster without the spare striker pocket (JMCH Type II; left), click here: t14h2pix.htm

To find out more about the Type 14 leather holster with spare striker pocket (JMCH Type III; middle), click here: t14h3pix.htm

To find out more about the Type 14 leather holster with steel rings (JMCH Type IV; right), click here: t14h4pix.htm

The later leather holsters (Types V to VII) as well as all the rubberized canvas holsters (Types VIII to X) have a spring-loaded closure strap that is wrapped in very thin leather that is easily damaged or worn off. Usually there are three springs in the strap, but sometimes there are four, and in a few cases short rods were used instead of springs. This is what a spring-loaded closue strap looks like. Note that the strap is now attached to the clamshell flap by a loop that is riveted on (the earlier solid leather closure straps were sewn directly to the flap).

There are three recognized types of leather holsters with spring loaded closure straps. They differ in the material used for the plate on the closure strap: brass (Type V); nickel-plated (Type VI) or black-lacquered steel (Type VII).

To find out more about the late Type 14 holster with brass plate on the spring-loaded closure strap (JMCH Type V; left), click here: t14h5pix.htm

To find out more about the late Type 14 holster with nickel-plated plate on the spring-loaded closure strap (JMCH Type VI, middle), click here: t14h6pix.htm

To find out more about the late Type 14 holster with black-lacquered plate on the spring-loaded closure strap (JMCH Type VII, right), click here: t14h7pix.htm

As leather became scarce, it was replaced by rubberized canvas. The first of these holsters is quite rare. It has a rubberized canvas body but a leather clamshell flap and is designated a Type VIII (left). The Type IX (middle) is all rubberized canvas, while the Type X (right) is all rubberized canvas except for the spare striker pouch, which is made of leather. (All these holsters use leather for the hinge that holds the clamshell on as well as various other small bits).

To find out more about the Type 14 rubberized canvas holster with leather clamshell pouch (JMCH Type VIII; left), click here: t14h8pix.htm

To find out more about the Type 14 all rubberized canvas holster (JMCH Type IX; middle), click here: t14h9pix.htm

To find out more about the Type 14 rubberized canvas holster with leather striker pouch (JMCH Type X; right), click here: t14h10pix.htm

I also have a repro holster which is not in the photo below, but can be seen by clicking on the appropriate spot below.

To find out more about the Type 14 repro leather holster (not pictured above), click here: t14reproholster.htm

Here is some of the other stuff.

To find out more about the other Type 14 accessories pictured above (mags, cleaning rods, lanyards, etc.), click here: t14otheracc.htm

To find out more about shoulder straps and belts for the Type 14, please click here: Nambu World: Straps and Belts for Type 14 Holsters

To see an original Type 14 instruction manual, click here: t14manual.htm

Last updated: June 27, 2006. All contents are copyright Teri unless otherwise specified and may not be used elsewhere in any form without prior permission.

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