Oganza. Thanks for taking the time to look at this shotgun and post your photos. What you describe seems to make a lot of sense, particularly when it comes to the marks and the long "control" number. I checked out the Hamada web site and took a look at their history and their pre worldII side by side shotguns were very impressive indeed - however comparatively speaking, when observing those photos that I have seen, and those that you kindly shared I will repeat my comment previously posted on shotgun world:
" I was able to look at some of the Japanese guns that you suggested by doing a web search. Some seem very nice indeed. We all know that the Japanese craftsmen are capable of amazing work. Nevertheless there are quite apparent differences between the guns that I viewed in the photos and the shotgun that I introduced for identification. Even though they are quite nice, the Japanese guns have a production look to them, predominantly machined including most of the engraving which seems stamped and very symmetrical - this is a complete contrast to "my shotgun" which has a very custom -bespoke- look and feel to it. The engraving for example is quite deep, very extensive, elaborate, meticulous and -completely hand executed, no doubt about it- The tight checkering is also very nicely done exclusively by hand - It is completely hand fitted and finished with the hand tool marks still slightly visible on the metal. It has considerable cast off and drop which points away from a production model...
I am not saying that this gun is not possibly of Japanese origin - I simply do not know- but comparatively it simply does not seem that way. If you have any additional info. that could shed additional light on this I would certainly appreciate it very much....
