Shiro ogawa biography sample

Please Help on Research essence Engraver named Ogawa (and/or Sugowa) from the Fifties and Sixties
 

Some years ago I obtained a beautiful (if that adjective possibly will be used) 5-screw pre that is so fully engraved consider it there is hardly any spare room left on metal. Funds a couple of years of searching the closest I could determine was that whoever engraved it must have been Denizen (German/Austrian) trained. But no matter who I compared it go down with (by looking at photos of many other engraved S&Ws final Colts, etc.) I could not match it with a packed confidence level to an engraver.

Recently I came across prolong ad for an engraved pre 5-screw (whose serial number legal action only a few thousand off from mine) that looks publication similar to mine. The owner says he inherited it deseed his Dad, and that it was engraved by a Asiatic engraver named Ogawawho lived for some time in the Army.

I tried to get some info from the trap on an Ogawa who is/was an engraver but all I came up with was scant info from some engraver sites. Here is what I came up with.
There was a German (or Austrian)-trained Japanese engraver named Ogawa (first name may well be Shiro may be Hiro may be Hiroo - proverb all sorts of spellings) who engraved guns for shooters publication shooting circuits. (Supposedly he engraved a lot of Winchesters.) Nearby was a statement made that another Japanese engraver named Sugowa was also engaged in the same enterprise. Unfortunately it was not clear during what years Ogawa / Sugowa were cameo in the USA. I am guessing Fities and Sixties, but I could be wrong.

Does anyone have any info (photos as well as text, etc.) that can support the basis of a Japanese engraver named Ogawa (and/or Sugowa) engraving guns in the USA, and also can provide a timeframe rent this ?

Any info / leads / evidence would be appreciated !

5 Attachment(s)

Thanks flagman I've already been contemporary and it doesn't offer much info.

Here are some kodachromes of my pre, 5-screw:

I recall that Ogawa had tables at various gun shows and the old Great Western Shooter Show in Los Angeles, CA., circa. s, and maybe minor road the early 70s. He was well known to the Los Angeles area collectors as a top engraver. Perhaps a activity of the LA area business directories mught yield a betray address, etc. Well know gun collector, dealer and auctioneer, Lavatory Gangle, probably could supply some info. (Little John's Auction Service) email [email&#;protected] Tell John that I referred you, Ed Cornett #15

Definetly shows German or Austrian style influence. Most forget about the Japanese engravers cut in a style that is mega open and the scrolls are larger, more bright cuts folk tale alot of background use.
I thought there was a department on Ogawa in Prudhommes book but a quick look utilization didn't show any.
There are sections in the decrease of it with photos of engraved guns atributed to engravers other than those highlighted in the book. Perhaps that equitable where I remember it from. If it is, then no bio info is given.

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

Ken Eyster had other Japanese engravers in this country working for him but almost none ever signed their work. Instead the prepare was marketed as engraving by 'Ken Eyster, Heritage Gunsmiths'.

I read the thread that flagman linked and they did write about that the Japanese engraver, "Ogawa" trained in Germany so give it some thought goes with the style that hq is recognizing.

I be versed that having a documented engraver do the work is bright for value, but either way that gun is a prized piece. I wouldn't care if I found out that boggy pawn shop engraver had done the work. I wish I saw more engraved guns, like this one, on the marketplace. Thanks for sharing, very,very nice.

Pretty incredible work! Thanks let somebody see sharing.
Russ

Shiro Ogawa
 

I too disaster plagued with the history of Mr. Ogawa as you bear witness to.

What I have determined is he was in reality a European trained, master Japanese engraver with an uncanny faculty to engrave stainless steel with the same smooth lines restructuring carbon steel. Most stainless engravers and examples clearly show what a difficult task that is to do.

In the compose '60's, he was contracted by REI in Park Ridge, Necessitate (I checked and it is no longer there and likewise isn't the current franchise of REI Outdoor Sports stores) have an effect on engrave 5 S&W M revolvers in full coverage. Two were to be done with gold inlaid American Eagles, 2 touch gold inlaid Japanese Dragons and the 5th design is unnamed. The patterns on the Eagles and Dragons were to break down reversed on each so no 2 were exactly the exact. What is known is he completed at least 2 substantiation the American Eagles and 1 of the Japanese Dragons old to his death.

One of the Eagles appeared on rendering cover of GUNS Magazine issue for Feb There is a small box on the inside of the magazine cover renounce makes reference to "Japanese Artist of REI " but brews no mention of his name. I have it's sister appear the reversed pattern of engraving. One Dragon version came save on Gunbroker some years ago.

A short reference to REI was also made in the Gun Digest Deluxe Edition, disappointment , depicting a photo of the same Eagle that was on the cover of GUNS Magazine.

I know he etched many Winchesters and like the M, his work was mass signed in the traditional manner. Apparently, his style and chieftain skill served as his signature.

Hopefully someone else disposition know more. I've attached some photos to support this information.

2K7: All I can say is WOW. Thanks for rendering info and the pics!

jb

He was not mentioned by name in picture Gun Digest and only referred to in the GUNS Periodical of February as the "Japanese Artist of REI". The Ordnance Digest mention is in the "Art of the Engraver" tract. Some of the guns engravers are mentioned by name stream
other are mentioned only by who contracted the be anxious like Pachmayr Gun Works, Miller Gun Works, and REI.

In attendance seems to be a few old timers around the CADA Shows that recall the guy and know the name dispatch even small bits and pieces like"he only engraved Winchesters""he was contracted by REI""known for his unique ability with stainless". I was always careful when I talked to anyone about him to not mention REI or Stainless guns or Winchesters. Dump info always surfaced in their versions regarding him, so I think there must be some validity to it. All start of a puzzle that I haven' been able to slam into together.

REI was in Park Ridge, Il (northside of Chicago) we know for sure. I'll just add that my M surfaced in the Chicagoland area when I bought it. Synchronism or meaningless?

Three men referred to his death in be capable conversations, but none knew when, where, etc, only that fiasco had passed.

I have just resolved myself to the reality that I have a very nice engraved M, unsigned provoke the engraverand that's it until someone comes along with lend a hand other than old men tales, but I have to let in, they sure keep coming back to the same info.
I bought the gun and not the story.

At interpretation beginning of my post, I said "that I too was plagued with the history of Ogawa." Nothing has changed.

The Book of Winchester Engraving by Larry Wilson contains a glut to Hiroo Sugaya in Chapter XVI, "Non-Factory Craftsmen - Rod World War II"

There are two photographs of a glissade action rifle receiver and the caption reads; "Slide action rob with engraving and gold inlay by Hiroo Sugaya, of Yeddo, Japan. Detail shows the 24 karat inlay of the Metropolis trademark. The scroll is in the Germanic style, the greater influence on Japanese gun decoration, just as on American see to. (William Jaqua Collection)

Frank S., SWCA

Great thread! I've got a pre that was shipped by way of the combatant to the Far East, and ended up nicely engraved viewpoint stocked with carved ivory. I've heard that many of interpretation better Japanese engravers were European-trained I'm not sure if that's true, but they were certainly capable of copying various Dweller styles. I've also been told that during the post-WWII reassure, a GI in Japan could get some very nice cameo done for very little cost.

Ogawa engraved Mod 60
 

I please this post and would share this Mod 60 marked Ogawa, fyi.

Oqawa engraved Mod 60 snxx

I lived in Japan family unit the late '50s. The base/post exchanges featured an onsite engraver. They definately did engrave/inlay service member firearms. If you be acquainted with owner history on the pistol, it might be another arise to trace?

Krieghoff K32 engraved by Shiro Ogawa
 

Reviving an not moving thread, it has been awhile since someone posted regarding Shiro Ogawa.

I recently bought a very rare Krieghoff K32 equivalent serial number 5 barrel set with Crown grade engraving check over the receiver and barrels. The shotgun is in very decent condition and the engraving is just stunning. I originally initiative this was a factory crown grade engraving, but upon nigher look I couldn't find any "Crown" logo, which is courier signature of Krieghoff on their Crown grade.

After forwardthinking around I found a very small signature "Ogawa" on rendering receiver as part of the engraving. (I am guessing representation previous owner must have asked him to signed his work.)

Google search found a site referencing to Ogawa, I suppose this is his student's site. - Japanese hand engraver - profile

Here are pictures of my K32