Japanese Besses

[BillinOregon]

I hear mixed reviews on these being a good buy vs. best avoided as they are not up to hard use. Any first-hand experience among posters here?

 

[fluggies4]

I have one and several friends also have them. They are well made and totally reliable. I've never had any problems, and it still sparked even when the flint had shattered at one time.

 

[BillinOregon]

Powderburner: What year is marked on the lock plate of your Japanese Bess? Are there any identifying maker's marks?

 

[Va.Manuf.06]

I have one and several friends also have them. They are well made and totally reliable. I've never had any problems, and it still sparked even when the flint had shattered at one time.

I agree. While I have never owned one (I had an early Navy Arms Bess) the Japanese Besses are almost universally admired and found to be strong and well made.

 

[fluggies4]

Powderburner: What year is marked on the lock plate of your Japanese Bess? Are there any identifying maker's marks?

The Japanese besses don't have a year on the lockplate, at least none that I have ever seen. They are marked "Tower", along with the British Crown and "GR". Mine was built from a kit and has a serial number on the barrel.

David

 

[Homesteader]

I had one for several years, and agree with the above comments. It was well made, sturdy, and could just about get sparks from a piece of cement. :wink:

If I hadn't upgraded to a custom fowler I'd still happily be using it.

 

[Steve Blancard]

I too have a Japanese (Miroku) made Bess. It is very well made and from what I've heard, a little lighter than a Pedersoli. These were sold by both Navy Arms and Dixie Gun Works and there is difference between the two. The Dixie version has a date stamped on the lock plate, I believe it is "1762", while the Navy Arms version does not. Both are marked "TOWER" and "GR" with the crown.

There have been a couple of them on Gunbroker lately including a new one with the box that is on there now. Most I have seen are easily recognizable by the slightly flattened triggerguard.

You can get a bayonet and worm specifically for these. Also, there is a fellow who makes new springs for them if needed.

I have live fired mine quite a bit and it shoots better than I can hold and sparks great.

I also have a Miroku made M1861 and M1863 Springfield, but are superior to anything out of Italy. I would love to find a Miroku Charleville to add to the family :wink:

If a good deal comes along on one, I recommend jumping on it.

 

[BillinOregon]

Awesome responses guys. I found one on another board and while the seller couldn't find a maker's makr, I identified it as a Miroku by the flattened trigger guard. Lock is marked 1755 TOWER.
Look forward to putting it to use!

 

[Frank/Pa]

Too bad they can't make a Brown Bess like they made them back in the 1700s.

 

[Va.Manuf.06]

Too bad they can't make a Brown Bess like they made them back in the 1700s.

They can, it's done all of the time. Talk to any good custom maker and you can have a completely correct reproduction of any of the several patterns of the Brown Bess. The proper lock, stock, barrel and furniture for early Long Land Pattern right straight through to the latest India Pattern muskets.

 

[Frank/Pa]

Too bad they can't make a Brown Bess like they made them back in the 1700s.

They can, it's done all of the time. Talk to any good custom maker and you can have a completely correct reproduction of any of the several patterns of the Brown Bess. The proper lock, stock, barrel and furniture for early Long Land Pattern right straight through to the latest India Pattern muskets.

I know a custom maker can. I was referring to a mass produced Brown Bess.

 

[Steve Blancard]

Awesome responses guys. I found one on another board and while the seller couldn't find a maker's makr, I identified it as a Miroku by the flattened trigger guard. Lock is marked 1755 TOWER.
Look forward to putting it to use!

Congrats! The flattened triggerguard is a dead giveaway. I've never seen a 1755 date Miroku. If I recall correctly, these muskets represent a model that first came out in 1768. Mine is a Dixe version that came with a 1762 marked lockplate. A while back I found an undated lock plate and swapped it out. I'm am now converting it into a Fredericksburg musket (there is a seperate thread on this). I sent the 1762 lockplate to an engraver who welded it up and engraved it as a Fredericksburg lockplate.

Show us some photos when you get it - we like show 'n tell :wink:

 

[Story]

Also, there is a fellow who makes new springs for them if needed.

This used to be the biggest drawback about the Japanese Bess' and had deadlined many of them.

Could you post the name/contact information of this spring maker?

 

[Steve Blancard]

This is from Najecki's web site:

"Jim Casco (Whitcomb's Rangers) now has Japanese Brown Bess hammers (aka frizzens), hammer springs, sear springs, and main springs. Jim's email is [email protected] and phone 802-235-2457. Jim also has parts for the older Italian Bess's and is making springs out of real spring steel for about $50, as opposed to the awful springs on the new muskets. Jim can also do repairs, tune-ups, and restoration work. If you don't know Jim, he is the fellow who brings the proof and armory stamps to events."

I e-mailed him a while back. He needs to have the lock in hand to fit the new parts as they are hand made.

 

[Story]

Thanks. :thumbsup:

 

[dillroy]

My father has used one that he bought used, 30 some yrs ago and it has never had any problems,has a good spark. Does a lot of live fire with it also. Its a real early one S# 137 I think