help with mei on snider sergeants model tower 1870!!!

[1tallsword]

i picked up this snider sergeants model tower 1870,canadian gun, or so i thought till i seen these markings?? im quite puzzled now? on the tip of the barrel is some writing and stamped markings on barrel rear left arsenal markings?? it looks like mei on the muzzle though, any help or thoughts??

[Toryu2020]

三千八十九

 

本　明十二　　新

 

How about number 3819 - "Hon" would be the arsenal Mei12 maybe Meiji 12(1879) and Shin "New" there is a book out there from Banzai press that may contain the answers...

-t

[Toryu2020]

Now that I think about it hon ay be a later mark meaning "real" or true working firearm - I will just have to see where I put that book!

-t

[Nobody]

三千八十九 ---> 3089

[1tallsword]

thank you to both of you, i feel silly now not recognizing the date inscription :lol: once pointed out it came clearly, seeing it in its location threw me off, thank you once again for both your help, Jeremy.

[george trotter]

FWIW you sometimes see yataghan bayonets for these.

They usually have a number branded down the scabbard leather (top to bottom) and/or the blade (bottom to top)...eg (1866 Model Chassepot with Japanese numbers for 2232 go, and on 1860 Pattern Enfield with 2279 go.

You can see a pic of this first one in Watts and White book on bayonets , and the Enfield was mine...made by PD Luneschloss (a German contractor...blade marked PDL in an oval).

These are quite scarce but turn up every 6th blue moon or so.

Regards,

[Brian]

Here is the book that I think would be beneficial.

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=12267

There is a small section on the Snider Enfield in Japan, and some were converted within Japan possibly.

 

Brian

[Toryu2020]

Jeremy -

According to Japanese Imported Arms of the Meiji Period the Hon stamp is an early acceptance stamp that was used in what became the Tokyo Arsenal. The Shin or "Ni" (新) stands for either Niigata, Niihari or Niikawa, the prefecture where it would have been registered. The latter two, Niihari and Niikawa, were later consolidated into other areas so no longer exist as Prefectures, I think both of these support the early Meiji date. A very neat find.

-t