Japanese Militaria at Castle-Thunder.com

[Francis C. Allan]

I am knee deep into research regarding weapons imported into, and often copied by, Japan in the approximate time period 1850-1900, for a book covering this topic. Several Henry rifles are known that have standard three-part Japanese registration markings stamped on them. Unfortunately, I have been unable to obtain resonably good photos of any of the three known specimens - serial numbers 7046, 8909 and 9030. By any chance do any collectors who visit this forum have access to one of these rifles?

Along the same lines, apparently 5,000 Winchester Model 1866 rifles were imported into Japan. One was featured in an auction a couple of years ago. Has anyone access to one of these rifles?

The firm which imported the Henry rifles was of Swiss origin, by the name of Charles and James Favre-Brandt, of Yokohama. They may also have imported tine Winchesters.

Can anyone help with photographs or even just information on this subject? I have hit pretty much of a dead end on my research of these lever-action weapons used by Japan. Yet I have unbounding faith in the American G.I.s ability to find the unusual and to bring back some of these souvenir wapons after the end of WWII.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Frank
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Francis C. Allan
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Palm Coast, FL 32137

(386) 445-4225