A!CTION New Nambu Early Model M60 51mm 1962 Model Gun

In the pre-war era, most Japanese law enforcement officials had only a sabre. During the Occupation, the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers suggested that they be equipped with firearms. Because of the insufficient stocks of domestic handguns, Japanese police started to receive service firearms leased from the Allies in 1949, and by 1951, all officers were issued handguns.

At the beginning, types of sidearms varied, but M1911 pistols and M1917 revolvers, Smith & Wesson Military & Police, and Colt Official Police were used as the main sidearms. The .38 caliber revolvers were well-received, but the .45 caliber handguns were too large to carry for somewhat smaller officers, especially women. M1917 revolvers were beginning to be seen as obsolete and deteriorated significantly, so malfunctions or reduced accuracy had been a problem. As a response to these issues, the National Rural Police Headquarters (one of the predecessors of the National Police Agency) and some Municipal Police Departments started to import small .38 Special caliber revolvers, such as Smith & Wesson Chief's Special and Colt Detective Special. But there were many handguns to be replaced, and with the policy of protecting industrial growth, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) had been oriented to domestic production of service firearms.

In 1957, the development was started by Shin-Chuo Industries under the leadership of the MITI to promote domestic firearm production. The development of three handguns had been promoted at the same time in parallel: .32 ACP caliber semi-automatic pistols, 9x19mm Parabellum caliber semi-automatic pistols, and .38 Special caliber revolvers. It was designed and produced by Shin-Chuo Industries, later merged with Minebea. "New Nambu" was named after Kijiro Nambu, a notable firearm designer and the founder of Shin-Chuo industries. Semi-auto pistols were completed as New Nambu M57, but neither of them did not enter into mass production. On the other hand, the revolver, completed as New Nambu M60, was satisfactory for the National Police Agency, and mass production was started in 1960.

This non-firing model gun is a faithful replica of said revolver, having a realistic weight to it even though it is made of ABS plastic. The action is very smooth, making this an ideal prop for films or even just as a display piece or fidget toy to practice revolver manipulations.

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Shell Compatibility:

• .38 Special Model Shells (A!CTION)

Includes:

• x1 A!CTION New Nambu Early Model M60 51mm 1962 Model Gun
• x6 A!CTION .38 Special Model Shells