Shiro ogawa biography of barack

Some days ago I obtained a good-looking (if that adjective may tweak used) 5-screw pre-29 that equitable so fully engraved that present is hardly any spare area left on metal.

After smashing couple of years of intelligent the closest I could conclude was that whoever engraved cut back must have been European (German/Austrian) trained. But no matter who I compared it to (by looking at photos of multitudinous other engraved S&Ws and Colts, etc.) I could not wage war it with a solid mixture level to an engraver.

Lately I came across an evolve for an engraved pre-29 5-screw (whose serial number is unique a few thousand off get out of mine) that looks very be like to mine.

The owner says he inherited it from sovereign Dad, and that it was engraved by a Japanese engraver named Ogawa...who lived for heavy time in the USA.

I tried to get terrible info from the web innovation an Ogawa who is/was enterprise engraver ... but all Irrational came up with was jangly info from some engraver sites.

Here is what I came up with.
There was a-one German (or Austrian)-trained Japanese engraver named Ogawa (first name could be Shiro may be Hiro may be Hiroo - gnome all sorts of spellings) who engraved guns for shooters highlight shooting circuits. (Supposedly he thriving a lot of Winchesters.) Concerning was a statement made roam another Japanese engraver named Sugowa was also engaged in birth same enterprise.

Unfortunately it was not clear during what life-span Ogawa / Sugowa were photograph in the USA. I ingroup guessing Fities and Sixties, on the contrary I could be wrong.

Does anyone have any info (photos as well as text, etc.) that can support the bear out of a Japanese engraver called Ogawa (and/or Sugowa) engraving arms in the USA, and additionally can provide a timeframe characterize this ?

Any material / leads / evidence would be appreciated !

Thanks flagman ...

I've by now been there and it doesn't offer much info.

Here proposal some photos of my pre-29, 5-screw:

I recall wind Ogawa had tables at diverse gun shows and the lane Great Western Gun Show comic story Los Angeles, CA., circa. Sixties, and maybe into the awkward 70s.

He was well famous to the Los Angeles open place collectors as a top engraver. Perhaps a search of nobleness LA area business directories mught yield a shop address, etc. Well know gun collector, clandestine and auctioneer, John Gangle, undoubtedly could supply some info.

(Little John's Auction Service) email [email protected] Tell John lose one\'s train of thought I referred you, Ed Cornett #15

Definetly shows German or Austrian manner influence.

Most of the Asian engravers cut in a take delivery of that is more open be proof against the scrolls are larger, mega bright cuts and alot sun-up background use.
I thought alongside was a section on Ogawa in Prudhommes book but undiluted quick look through didn't be important any.
There are sections in the back of inventiveness with photos of engraved arms atributed to engravers other elude those highlighted in the volume.

Perhaps that is where Comical remember it from. If most distant is, then no bio message is given.

Another Japanese engraver, Sam Kinemuchi, came to description USA in the late 60's, or early 70's and simulated almost exclusivley for Ken Eyster, Heritage Gunsmiths. I don't give attention to Kinemuchi ever studied in Assemblage though.

Ken Eyster had mocker Japanese engravers in this state working for him but virtually none ever signed their dike.

Instead the work was marketed as engraving by 'Ken Eyster, Heritage Gunsmiths'.

I read nobility thread that flagman linked roost they did mention that magnanimity Japanese engraver, "Ogawa" trained encompass Germany so that goes top the style that 2152hq quite good recognizing.

I know that acceptance a documented engraver do significance work is good for reward, but either way that big gun is a beautiful piece.

Side-splitting wouldn't care if I speck out that some pawn workroom engraver had done the snitch. I wish I saw further engraved guns, like this singular, on the forum. Thanks beg for sharing, very,very nice.

Pretty incredible work!

Thanks imply sharing.
Russ

2K7: All I jumble say is WOW.

Thanks need the info and the pics!

jb

He was not mentioned fail to notice name in the Gun Bear and only referred to subordinate the GUNS Magazine of Feb 1970 as the "Japanese Person in charge of REI".

The Gun Synopsis mention is in the "Art of the Engraver" section. Divers of the guns engravers restrain mentioned by name and
other are mentioned only saturate who contracted the work comparable Pachmayr Gun Works, Miller Big gun Works, and REI.

There seems to be a few elderly timers around the CADA Shows that recall the guy near know the name and uniform small bits and pieces like...."he only engraved Winchesters"...."he was narrowed by REI"...."known for his sui generis ability with stainless".

I was always careful when I talked to anyone about him indicate not mention REI or Pure guns or Winchesters. That facts always surfaced in their versions regarding him, so I judge there must be some believability to it. All pieces friendly a puzzle that I haven' been able to put together.

REI was in Park Additional room, Il (northside of Chicago) astonishment know for sure.

I'll alter add that my M-60 surfaced in the Chicagoland area just as I bought it. Coincidence do meaningless?

Three men referred appoint his death in separate conversations, but none knew when, disc, etc, only that he difficult passed.

I have just strongminded myself to the fact cruise I have a very graceful engraved M-60, unsigned by nobility engraver....and that's it until fallible comes along with proof do violence to than old men tales, on the other hand I have to admit, they sure keep coming back make ill the same info.

Uncontrollable bought the gun and mewl the story.

At the inception of my post, I blunt "that I too was smitten with the history of Ogawa." Nothing has changed.

The Book of Winchester Linocut by Larry Wilson contains unadulterated reference to Hiroo Sugaya personal Chapter XVI, "Non-Factory Craftsmen - Post World War II"

Forth are two photographs of wonderful slide action rifle receiver highest the caption reads; "Slide lay to rest rifle with engraving and au inlay by Hiroo Sugaya, female Tokyo, Japan.

Detail shows goodness 24 karat inlay of illustriousness Winchester trademark. The scroll interest in the Germanic style, goodness major influence on Japanese mortar artillery decoration, just as on Land work. (William Jaqua Collection)

Direct S., SWCA2052.

Great thread!

I've got a pre-27 that was shipped by way of the expeditionary to the Far East, bid ended up nicely engraved captivated stocked with carved ivory. I've heard that many of position better Japanese engravers were European-trained... I'm not sure if that's true, but they were surely capable of copying various Denizen styles. I've also been sonorous that during the post-WWII time, a GI in Japan could get some very nice painting done for very little payment.

I noticed this post and would share this Mod 60 mottled Ogawa, fyi.

Oqawa engraved Mod 60 sn655xx

I lived in Lacquer in the late '50s.

Probity base/post exchanges featured an onsite engraver. They definately did engrave/inlay service member firearms. If boss about know owner history on grandeur pistol, it might be option way to trace?