Miroku Flintlock

N

noelf2

New member
Was wandering around the Fredericksburg VA gun show yesterday and came across a Japanese made smoothbore flintlock musket. Made by Miroku probably back in the 60's (not sure). Appeared to be in good condition with a nice clean bore. Someone put some sort of clear coat finish on the stock, brass, and the barrel which was kind of weird. I didn't get a picture of it but found an identical one on a site online. He was asking $245. I was considering $200 but it would take some work to clean it up. Flash hole seemed a bit low too. Anyone know what these are worth?
 

Attachments

  • 17141642558.jpg
    17141642558.jpg
    29.8 KB · Views: 325
In the right circles many HUNDREDS! They are often considered the best reproduction Bess' ever made and command a premium amongst re-enactors despite unavailability of parts. However, that is, again for a 2nd Model Bess. That thing? I'm not sure what it really wants to be when it grows up...
 
Japan imported thousands of cheap rifles and pistols in the 60's and 70's. I'd pass on it for more than 100. It will most likely need work to make it spark right.
 
Wow. You may not be right but at least you're consistant Hawg -- everything is only worth a hundred or two; original Brown Bess or a Miroku reproduction. Amazing.
 
An original Bess in very poor condition and a rifle imported by Japan in the heyday of cheap guns. Think what you want.
 
The Japaneses Miroku's were made from a fairly good grade of steel with good machining. A step up from some of the Italian counterparts of the day.

These two Miroku pistols are good shooters, reliable ignition. They missed the mark with the stamped trigger, I don't care for that. When I do see these at gun shows they are in the $125-$150 area, so $200-$250 for a rifle does not seem out of line.

Miroku01.jpg
 
Gehrhard, you've got Brown Bess on the brain. Nobody is talking about a Bess on this thread but you. Just because this gun was made by Miroku doesn't make it worth more. Yeah Miroku made some good guns like the Bess but they also made a butt load of cheap ones.
 
An above average manufacturer doesn't affect an arms' value, and Miroku made junk too?

I didn't realize this but thanks. Can you reinforce your assertions with a few examples of each please?
 
Ultra Hi and Miroku both imported Tower flintlock pistols back in the 60's and early 70's. They both sold for around 30 bucks. The frizzens were soft, trigger pulls were very heavy and wood work left a lot to be desired. Granted the Miroku's were somewhat better than the Ultra Hi's but not by a lot.
 
I have a few of those Miroku Towers, the ones known to actually throw a spark as more than a wall-hanger. And they go for more than $100 themselvs, forget $30. But we're not really talking about pistols.

Looking for support that the value of an above-average maker doesn't command premium prices and that Miroku made junk.
 
I'm not finding a lot of closed auctions of Miroku black powder rifles. The ones I am finding are going from 160-250 dollars so I guess I'll have to say they're better than I gave them credit for but they still don't bring the resale prices Italian guns bring.
 
Let me jump into my thread for a sec ;)

The Miroku rifle I saw at the gun show was not a picture of perfection. The lock seemed cheap and it didn't spark well (but the flint in it was a bit short). The wood work was nothing fancy, and instead of a nice long stock, it was cut in the middle and had a brass spacer (sort of like CVA did with their Kentucky rifle so it would fit in a smaller package for shipping). The barrel was ok, but there was no graceful transition from octagonal to round (rings and such). Again, nothing fancy. I was only looking for a functional smooth bore that doesn't have to be period correct. Probably only worth $150 or so, as would a CVA flinter of similar age.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top