NAMBU TYPE 94 AND TYPE 14 YEARLY PRODUCTION RARITY CHARTS
November 1999
FELLOW COLLECTORS, these charts show the relative rarity of the 11 Nambu Type 94 and the 35 Type 14 arsenal, series, and yearly date code combinations by quantity produced (11 Type 14s could possibly be dated Showa 1.12 which would be a 36th combination). The order of production rarity is well-established as both Type 94 and Type 14 yearly serial number ranges are over 99% complete, and the order may change in only a few instances as higher / lower numbered examples are reported. No attempt has been made to determine the rarity of any variations such as the Type 14 "vertical arsenal," "00 overstamp," or any other production changes or markings. Also, neither do these charts take into account the increased rarity of earlier dated examples due to losses in use. Unserialized and undated examples are not included in these figures. By using these charts and simple arithmetic, many interesting facts about Type 94 and Type 14 production can be deduced. For example:
For the Type 94:
- dates 17, 18, & 19 together account for over 60% of total Type 94 production
- production during dates 12, 13, & 14 was virtually constant (dates 12 & 13
production was so close that a rank order may never be established)
- total production was only 30% of T14 total production 1935 to 1945
- production exceeded 50% of T14 yearly totals twice (1942 = 53%; 1945 = 71%)
- 1945 production was 87% of T14 totals through June when T94 production ended
- production actually exceeded T14 production January 1945 to April 1945
For the Type 14:
- Nagoya 15 through 7 dates account for less than 3% of total T14 production
- Nagoya 3 and Tokyo 3 production totals are almost identical
- Fewer Kokura 11 dates were produced than any of the Nagoyas except Taisho 15
- 14 of the 35 combinations each account for less than 1% of total production
- Over 40% of all production is dated 18 or 19
- Nagoya Nambu 11 through 16 dates account for 30% of total T14 production
- Yearly production did not exceed about 3-1/2% of total production until 1937
- Fewer Nagoya (Second Series) 18 or 20 dates were produced than Tokyo 5 dates
- The 8 date is the second rarest yearly date after the Taisho 15
- Yearly production did not increase appreciably until 1943
- Nagoya (Second Series) 19 dates comprise over 79% of that series' production
- Fewer Nagoya Nambu (First Series) 19 dates were produced than the Nagoya 3
or the Tokyo 3
- 10 through 20 dates account for about 85% of all production
- More Tokyo 5 dates were produced than the total of the original Nagoya series
These are just some of the interesting facts which can be deduced with simple arithmetic from these rarity charts. Whether you collect by combinations, date code only, by arsenals and series, or any other method, the relative rarity of your Type 94s and Type 14s can be determined by using these charts. At the very least, these charts will help you determine rarity as an indicator of value for your Type 94 and Type 14 Nambus. Good luck and HAPPY NAMBU COLLECTING to all!
Mike and Dan Larkin
