Miroku model 500 side by side

[cant hit rabbits 123]

Evening chaps,

 

I recently bught a Miroku model 500, as per title, and I would like to find out how old it is. It has a six digit serial number, begining with 18 if that can give a rough date, has a colour hardened action with basic engraving, double trigger, non ejector. It bears only BC Miroku rather than BC Miroku plus another name so it is from before Miroku began to produce other companies designs.

 

Any ideas will be much appriciated.

 

[Alycidon]

Sounds like is was one of the models imported by Parker Hale before they went bust. They lost the Miroku franchise in the early/mid 70s. At that time I was trying to find the same info out about a 3700HS that I had, I failed as PH said they has destroyed their records. Miroku made good guns, look after it and it will become an heir loom !!. I would not worry to much as to how old it is, far more important is condition and how much use or abuse it has had. I suppose if the worst comes to the worst then Browning may be abel to find out from the Miroku factory.

 

A

[cant hit rabbits 123]

Its in fantastic condition. It has about 60-70% colour left on the action, very few scratchs on the wood, which has excellent colour and character. Barrels have a few light external marks but the bores are near perfect. With a good polish it looks like it could have been only a few years old! Looks like it had been some ones best gun for many years and very well looked after. Examples on gun trader in far worse condition are fetching £450 or more, which is a shade higher than mine cost at the Midland.

[derekbomag]

Hi i have one of these it is a 500e

it as D C MIROKU FIREARM MFG. CO KOCHI, JAPAN

MY SERIAL NUMBER STARTS WITH 19

have you got made in japan wrote on the barrel

either way look after it as they will be much sort after

 

Derek

[HDAV]

Depending on where it was proofed the proof marks may well give you year of proof I did this with a BSA I inherited from my grandfather which turns out was a gap made SKB 200E Birmingham proof house marks showed it was proofed in 67 IIRC

Edited September 24, 2011 by HDAV

[cant hit rabbits 123]

Hi i have one of these it is a 500e

it as D C MIROKU FIREARM MFG. CO KOCHI, JAPAN

MY SERIAL NUMBER STARTS WITH 19

have you got made in japan wrote on the barrel

either way look after it as they will be much sort after

 

Derek

 

Mine only has BC Miroku Model 500 engraved on the bottom of the action, although it does have the lettering MADE IN JAPAN on the monoblocks. It has Birmingham nitro proof marks.

 

HDAV, thanks for the info, I'll see about checking with BPH for a date of proof.

 

Thanks for the input chaps, its much appriciated!

[HDAV]

There should be a date code in the proof marks I think it's 2 letters but depends when it was done as they changed a few times

 

http://www.hallowellco.com/proof_date_codes.htm single letter

Edited September 24, 2011 by HDAV

[cant hit rabbits 123]

Thanks, I shall investigate.

[nutting]

Hi,

 

I have just bought a Miroku 500 20-bore, long distance and sight-unseen, which is currently on its way to my RFD. Hoping it's as good as it was described!

 

Serial number is 410xxx which suggests it's late production (1970s)? I'd be very interested to see photos of the original poster's 500.

 

Nigel

 

In the safe:

Miroku MK70 12b

AyA Model 400 12b (1960)

Westley Richards T series 12b (1938)