Lot 286

Rare WWII Japanese "North China" Type 19 Pistol with Holster

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Rare WWII Japanese "North China" Type 19 Pistol with Holster

Estimate: $7,500 - $11,000

Starting Bid: $6,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Very Rare World War II Japanese "North China" Type 19 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Holster Produced in very limited quantities at the tail end of the war, the "North China Type 19" was an attempt to make a streamlined substitute for the Type 14 Nambu pistol for Japan's occupation forces in China. There were a number of factors underpinning this decision; the occupation was in constant need of fresh weapons to deal with the Nationalist and Communist Chinese forces, resources from the Home Islands were tight due to the pressure applied by the Allied "island hopping" campaign, and any shipment of supplies was in danger from air or submarine attack. Chinese industry was used to arm auxiliary units, and using it to arm main-line troops was a logical next step. Believed to have been made in or around either Beijing or Shanghai, the Type 19 closely follows the basic mechanism and general shape/ergonomics of the Type 14, though with a number of changes. The safety has been relocated and redesigned, being a simple thumb lever towards the rear; in addition to being easier to make, this safety is easier to operate with the shooting hand, a complaint expressed in some quarters against the Type 14. The trigger guard is a solid, integral frame component, and does not need to be manipulated to disassemble the pistol, with a spring-retained lever on the front right serving to secure the upper assembly to the frame. The barrel and bolt assembly are very close to the Type 14, as is the magazine, though there is no provision for a magazine well safety or a retention spring. Quantities of this pistol on the American market are extremely limited; as they were made in China for use in China, few made it elsewhere in the Pacific Theater where a trophy-hunting GI would have the chance to claim one from a downed enemy or a cache of surrendered arms, versus the wave of Type 14s, 94s, 99s and swords that came home when demobilization began. Per Derby and Brown in "Japanese Military Cartridge Handguns 1893-1945" (page 264) total production of the Type 19 is estimated at less than 200, with only twenty recorded in the survey on the same page. Blade and notch sights, with no external numbering or nomenclature, "01" markings on concealed areas of the receiver and frame. The grips are ribbed hardwood. Included with the pistol is a Chinese-style brown leather flap holster with a five-pointed star stitched into the flap and a leather shoulder strap.

Manufacturer: North China Industries

Model: Type 19

BBL: 4 1/2 inch round

Gauge: 8mm Nambu

Finish: blue

Grips: hardwood

Serial NumberNSN

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Condition: Fine, with 70% of the original blue finish, showing areas of brown and gray patina, mild spotting, edge wear, and dings. Grips are very good, with light scratches. The disconnector needs work, otherwise mechanically functions. Holster is good as period modified, with minor scuffs and stains.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000