IMG_1106 by David M, on Flickr


IMG_1110 by David M, on Flickr


IMG_1112 by David M, on Flickr


IMG_1113 by David M, on Flickr


IMG_1115 by David M, on Flickr


IMG_1114 by David M, on Flickr

 

I wish I could give you some information, sorry I can't but that is a beautiful firearm!

 

I don't think it's of Japanese origin.
Break it down and look for proofs and other markings on the bottom of the barrels, and the water table. The water table is the flat area on the receiver directly under the chamber area of the barrels.

 

Certainly looks like the Miroku 500 boxlock action, as used on Charles Daly, etc, shotguns. This is a nicer grade, obviously, but the bottom plate, screw and pin locations, etc, sure look like Miroku to me.

Please do look for markings on the water table.

 

Thank you for the replies! I have taken a picture of the areas requested and it is attached.

Key engravings/markings:

"Tokyo"
" <NN> "
"1979"
"<12>"

The "1979" appears on every separate metal part of the weapon - I believe it to be a serial number.


IMG_1116 by David M, on Flickr

 

I am very confident the shotgun was made by BC Miroku in Japan in the 1950's or early 1960's. If the value was based on quality, this should be a $1500 shotgun. Unfortunately it is going to suffer from lack of name recognition and would be relegated to half that.

 

So then it is very possible that the origin was lost in translation - very likely not brought back from the war but purchased some years later.

Thank you for the help - still looking for additional opinions and thoughts!

 

I don't know if you are still active on the forum but I'm hoping that you are. I also have a Nawa shotgun with the same markings that you posted. Your gun was most likely made by Nawa Works in Tokyo, Japan. I purchased my in Okinawa from a firearms dealer. I'd be happy to chat with you about your gun if you're still interested in getting more information about it, as well as the Nawa Works company.

 

I agree with Stone, most likely a Miroku.
What had me second guessing is the clone like appearance of a Greener. Higher quality shotgun, Miroku makes the Browning Citori.

 

Miroku shotguns are usually of excellent quality if thats what it turns out to be, and it looks to be in very nice condition as well. I do rather doubt that it dates from the 1930's though.

 

Thank you all for the responses. My final question is this: Is it advisable to fire this shotgun? If so, are there any particular loads I should avoid or lean towards? Any specific precautions I should take given its age? This is the first vintage/antique firearm I have owned.

 

Well, without having the gun on the bench to check it out we can't be sure but it certainly appears to lock up correctly. Although I sincerely doubt there is any problem with the gun, have a gunsmith familiar with side-by-side shotguns check it over. At a minimum, he should check for chamber depth and forcing cone, headspace, all safety mechanisms and the lockup.

 

That safety sure looks like a WW Greener safety...

 

Japenese copy of an English Greener shotgun. Definitely vintage. Private message sent!

 

The OP hasn't been back in 13yrs.