Peter Bleed Posted September 23, 2022 Report Posted September 23, 2022 I write to beg the advice of this fine community. I just got a call from a fellow who will be bringing a Japanese firearm for me to see tomorrow. He described it over the phone as a converted Japanese style and embellished caplock that looked to him like it had been further converted to a “tubelock.” Obviously, I am eager to see this thing (tho it ain’t a Sendai Shinto), but what should I be ready for? I am personally interested in mid century conversions, but what is the – ahhh – market for them. Can they get into Japan? Does anybody collect them? I do not need more stuff to put in the back of my closet! All the best! Peter Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted September 23, 2022 Report Posted September 23, 2022 1. Conversions would be even more difficult to a) bring back into Japan thru customs, and b) register. 2. There is less interest so the market is much weaker there than in the West. (A dealer might buy one if he/she thought it could be exported. Otherwise there would be little profit, unless it is something really special.) Quote
Bazza Posted September 23, 2022 Report Posted September 23, 2022 Peter - looking forward to the reveal. BaZZa. Quote
Brian Posted September 24, 2022 Report Posted September 24, 2022 Not sure what a tube-lock is. Looking forward to seeing it. Best conversion I ever saw was the one that @Jean got (was it from Ron?) that I would have given an arm for. Quote
Peter Bleed Posted September 24, 2022 Author Report Posted September 24, 2022 Well, friends, you have to kiss a lot of frogs. Today I intersected with the fellow who had offered me a modified “Japanese” firearm. I would like to ignore this matter, but Bazza asked for a reveal, so… I was offered what I think is a locally a produced SE Asian (Thai??) shotgun It is “embellished” with brass inlays. And there are some impressed marks – which I am sure are NOT(!)Japanese. If Brian approves, I’ll post and image, but I am sure that it is not Japanese altho the purveyor assured me that the previous owner said…. Sorry, gang! Peter 1 Quote
Peter Bleed Posted September 25, 2022 Author Report Posted September 25, 2022 Here's the banger. I will take this opportunity to make the point that "collecting" Japanese arms used to involved searching, ie looking for stuff. It was also a large part of the activity. That phase of American history and sword collecting is largely passed. Nowadays, stuff is more organized so the hobby involves more interaction with dealers and experts. Heck, in the old days there were no experts! Peter 1 1 Quote
Kiipu Posted September 25, 2022 Report Posted September 25, 2022 The characters are Thai script and the last four are numbers. FYI, the picture is upside down. XXX/๖๒๔๓ = XXX/6243. 1 Quote
Peter Bleed Posted September 25, 2022 Author Report Posted September 25, 2022 Thanks, Thomas! Now I have sympathy for the visitor who ask for help with pictures of nakago upside down. Peter Quote
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