Identity of an 1863 Springfield Repro. from Dixie Gun Works

[Tom the Tinker]

Gentlemen, In the course of speaking to a local NSSA member about an 1863 marked Repro Springfield that I have and would be willing to part with, he said that it was an early Miroku. I have no Idea whether it is or isn't but assumed he might be right. Now , that has been called into question. Sadly my curiosity has been aroused and if I were a cat I would be dead many times over. I bought this gun in 1992 or 3 from a gun show thinking that I might like to try reenacting. After 1 introductory drill in the Alabama July weather in wool, I realized that wasn't happening. The gun has resided these many years above my fireplace and for the last 10 or 15 in a closet. I'm not into percussion guns and therefore my knowledge of them is almost non existent. I am not emotionally invested in the MFG of the gun or whether it is Italian, Japanese, or lower Slobovian . I am curious, however and would appreciate any opinions or knowledge of what brand or country it is from. I thank you in advance. I am not listing this for sale on this forum now, so will present photos without regard to rule 23. Or is it 32? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[bpd303]

If I'm not mistaken the Miroku guns had Japan stamped inside the locks. The picture is too dark to tell.
Edit: I just looked in my 1995 Dixie Gun Works catalog (Richard Petty edition) and it says those repros are made in Japan so it is a Miroku gun, very good quality IMHO.

 

[Tom the Tinker]

Thanks for the reply and apologize for the picture quality. There is no marking inside the lock, or on the barrel except for 2300. (serial no.) The tang is marked "DIXIE GUNWORKS UNION CITY TN" The lock plate is very thick and robust . But as I mentioned, I am not knowledgeable about the Miroku or the Italian Repros to make comparisons. It does seem strange that there is no proofs, date codes, caliber markings, MFG, or country of origin stamped anywhere on the metal or wood pieces.

 

[bpd303]

That is because someone defarbed it.

 

[Tom the Tinker]

Once again, Thanks. I had mentioned that it may have been defarbed in another thread but was rebuffed by the fact that the defarber would have done away with the Dixie markings. Made sense, but who knows.