Japaness Brown Bess

[Jdzara]

I recently bought one of the old Dixie Bess's made in Japan. While it seems a well made gun two things seem "wrong".
Neither the stock nor the trigger guard are drilled for a sling holder.
The bore measures .730, pretty under sized for a .75 calibre.
Were all the Japanese Bess's made this way?
thanks,
Jerry

 

[mckutzy]

bizzar about the trigger guard and stock. it woldnt be much about drilling new holes in the guard though. the barrel has to have a lug in it to accept a sling in the stock, there is just not enough meat in the stock to hold on to.

 

[LRB]

I drilled mine about 15 years ago, and mounted it without a lug. I have had no problems. And yes the jap Besses are a tad under bore, but I like them better than a pedersoli. They are a bit lighter, and mine has always been a great sparker. I've had it since '76. Acually, original Besses vary in bore size some.

 

[jchochole]

Jerry,

The Miroku Jap Bess were not drilled for sling swivels, they were installed by companies here in the states- if at all.

Cheers,
Jim

 

[hawk]

that would work all right with 12ga stuff wads,cards and balls(.69-.68)
12ga is .729 if I remember correctly
:thumbsup:

 

[TFoley]

You have it exactly right, Sir. The one and only example I have ever seen in UK was a real good sparker and pretty accurate too. Just seemed a mite slow on ignition - the hammer seemed to take about a week to fall - sorts out the flinchers, tho'! :grin:

Best wishes from wet Tokyo

'There are two rainy seasons in Japan - the first six months, and then the last six months'. Colleen Suzuki

 

[benvenuto]

A colleague of mine has one, an excellent and well made gun. A professional lock tuning and trigger job has halved the lock time on it, although for a long time he was bedeviled by some sort of chip left over from drilling partially obscuring the touch hole.