Bess identification

[trent/OH]

Yesterday I became the happy owner of a used Brown Bess. I am trying to figure out the manufacturer.
The previous owner indicated it he bought it about 20 years ago when he lived in New Hampshire. The only writing on the barrel is a 4 digit serial number. here is no provision for sling swivels.The lock is stamped TOWER, and GR under a crown. The barrel is 42", and the muzzle mics about .747". The cock has what I believe is called a single throat. From what I can see, it looks a lot like what Swampman has pictured very recently on the builders forum.
Is this an older Pedersoli, or is this one of the Japanese muskets? I've read all of the Pedersoli comments from the past several months here, but there isn't much written about the quality, authenticity, and value of the Japanese pieces. Thanks folks! :hmm:

 

[thomas]

It is a japanese bess, but that doesn't mean bad! I think they are well made & shoot good. Some things on them are not right, but all can be fixed.

Thomas

 

[thomas]

BTW the maker is miroku. They made & still make some of the finest guns around!

Thomas

 

[Harddog]

Trent,

An easy way to identify a Japanese Bess is to look at the trigger guard. If the original trigger guard hasn't been switched out with another trigger guard, it will be slightly square or flat on the bow of the trigger guard. This is easily noticeable on the pictures of Swampman's Bess.

The story was that the Bes sent to Japan to be copied was damaged in shipment by being dropped which resulted in the bow of the trigger guard being somewhat flattened. The Japanese didn't know any better and made all the copies with the same flattened out trigger guard bow.

There was nothing wrong with the quality of the Japanese Besses. The Japanese company that Dixie had making the Besses and the Dixie Southern Mountian Rifles was a good company that produced good quality guns for reproductions.

Randy hedden

 

[musketman]

Trent,

An easy way to identify a Japanese Bess is to look at the trigger guard. If the original trigger guard hasn't been switched out with another trigger guard, it will be slightly square or flat on the bow of the trigger guard. This is easily noticeable on the pictures of Swampman's Bess.

Here is Swampman's Japanese Bess after the make-over, he did a wonderful job, it shows the trigger guard...

 

[Swampman]

I may hunt down an Italian triggerguard or just tell everyone I dropped it. :winking:

I like the Japanese Bess better than the Italian version myself, and I was tickled to find an unfired specimen.