Koishikawa Arsenal Japanese Type 26 Meiji Era Military 9mm DAO Revolver

Description:
MANUFACTURER: KOISHIKAWA ARSENAL (TOKYO ARTILLERY ARSENAL)
MODEL: TYPE 26 DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER
YEAR MANUFACTURED: MEIJI PERIOD, EARLY 1900's
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: JAPAN
SERIAL NUMBER: 38268
ISSUE DATE: ADOPTED 1893 (MEIJI 26)
ISSUED BRANCH: IMPERIAL JAPANESE ARMY
CONFLICT DEPLOYMENT: FIRST SINO-JAPANESE WAR, RUSSO-JAPANESE WAR, WORLD WAR I, LIMITED SECOND-LINE SERVICE INTO WORLD WAR II
ARMORY/INSPECTION MARKS: KOISHIKAWA ARSENAL LOGO; RECEIVER MARKED "TYPE 26", SERIAL NUMBER 38268
CALIBER: 9MM JAPANESE 
CAPACITY: 6 ROUNDS
BARREL LENGTH: 4.75"
OPERATING SYSTEM: TOP-BREAK REVOLVER WITH AUTOMATIC STAR EJECTOR
ACTION: DOUBLE ACTION ONLY 
IRON SIGHTS: FIXED HALF-MOON FRONT BLADE WITH INTEGRAL REAR NOTCH
FRAME: STEEL
GRIP: ORIGINAL CHECKERED WOOD GRIPS AND LANYARD RING
FIREARM FINISH: BLUED
CONDITION: GOOD SURPLUS CONDITION WITH HONEST SERVICE WEAR, EDGE WEAR, PATINA ON THE BARREL, SHARP MARKINGS, AND WELL-PRESERVED WOOD GRIPS
ADDITIONAL FEATURES: TOP-BREAK ACTION, AUTOMATIC EJECTION SYSTEM, LANYARD RING, EXPOSED EJECTOR STAR, KOISHIKAWA ARSENAL EMBLEM, ORIGINAL JAPANESE RECEIVER MARKINGS
WHAT’S INCLUDED: REVOLVER

Adopted in 1893 during the 26th year of Emperor Meiji's reign, the Type 26 Revolver holds a unique place in military firearms history as Japan's first indigenous modern military revolver. Introduced at a time when many of the world's armies still relied on black powder revolvers and before smokeless powder semi-automatic pistols became the global standard, the Type 26 represented a significant leap forward for the rapidly modernizing Imperial Japanese Army. Its robust top-break, double-action-only design reflected contemporary European influence while establishing Japan's own path in military small arms development. Remarkably, the Type 26 remained in military service for nearly fifty years, seeing use from the First Sino-Japanese War and Russo-Japanese War through World War I, with many examples continuing in second-line and auxiliary service into World War II. That exceptionally long service life, combined with its status as Japan's first successful military revolver, has made the Type 26 one of the cornerstone sidearms sought by collectors of Imperial Japanese military firearms.

Unlike many contemporary service revolvers, the Type 26 employs a double-action-only mechanism coupled with a top-break frame and automatic star ejector, allowing all six spent cases to be extracted simultaneously when the action is opened. The revolver features a 4.75-inch round barrel, fixed military sights, checkered wood grips, and an integral lanyard ring for mounted troops and field carry. The machining and overall fit remain consistent with Japanese military production of the Meiji era.

The Type 26 saw service through one of the most transformative periods in Japanese military history. It accompanied Imperial forces during the First Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War and remained in inventory through World War I. Although eventually superseded by the Type 14 Nambu pistol as Japan's principal military sidearm, many Type 26 revolvers continued serving with reserve units, military police, and rear-echelon personnel into the Second World War. Its long service life reflects both the durability of the design and the logistical realities of Imperial Japan's expanding military.

Original Japanese military sidearms remain highly sought after by collectors of Imperial Japanese firearms, particularly examples that retain strong markings, original military features, and honest service character. The Type 26 occupies a unique place in military firearms history as Japan's pioneering modern service revolver—a centerpiece for any serious collection of Imperial Japanese or pre-World War II military arms. A scarce and historically significant revolver that represents the dawn of Japan's modern military sidearm development.

***Please see pictures for condition and wear***

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Curio/Relic: Yes
Manufacturer: JAPANESE
Model: TYPE 26
Serial Number: 38268
Barrel Length: 4.75

Price: $1,249.99
Shipping: $34.99
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