Japan doesn’t come to mind when most people think gunmaking. But craftsmen there have been building firearms for hundreds of years.
Karaji Miroku was one of them, and in 1893 he started a gunsmithing business that went on to become the Miroku Corporation, one of Japans biggest and best know gunmakers.
Today, Miroku builds a firearms for Browning and under their own name. In 2011, Field & Stream writer Phil Bourjaily toured their facility.
Back in the ’50s and ’60s, Miroku built shotgun like the one you see here. This is their version of a Browning Superposed, and it’s 95% the same gun. One of the biggest ways it differs is price. While vintage 20g Browning Superposed costs $1800+, with this OU you can get the same quality for less money.
B.C. Miroku Skeet O/U 20 ga double barrel shotgun: Very Good condition – shotgun – 28″ narrow VR, O/U, fixed Skeet (SS) chokes in both barrels barrel – checkered walnut forearm & rounded PG stock, equipped with checkered Miroku – blue finish, retains about 90-90% on barrels, retains about 80% plum patina finish to frame – retains traces of gold finish in protected areas of trigger – Markings: crisp- scroll engraved receiver, “MIROKU FIREARMS MFG., KOCHI JAPAN” on left side of barrel, – Sights: fiber optic front sight – Great Skeet Shooter – gold single trigger – auto ejectors – Excellent shiny bore – mechanics appear to be in working order – canvas and leather fitted gun case; green fleece lined, lockable combination latches, leather securing exterior straps; box is in like-new condition with single detractor being discoloration of canvas exterior
