The artistry of Sam Kinemuchi

Anfanger · 03-30-2015, 07:50 AM

I have very limited info on Sam Kinemuchi.
Sam came to the US around 1970 from Japan, where he learned engraving. He worked out of his home, but also in Ken Eyster's gunsmithing shop in Centerburg, OH. Ken's son, Jim, believes Sam is still alive, and I'm working to get contact info for him. There isn't much on the internet about him.
Please PM me or post info if you have it, about Sam.
Thank you.
This is an example of his craft. I'm pleased to own it.
1914 Erfurt Military Luger
(Fourth picture is blown out with extra light to show detail.)

alanint · 03-30-2015, 07:58 AM

I remember watching Sam work. The pieces he turned out were held in the first ball vice I had ever seen. You could stand anywhere, except directly behind him or out of his peripheral vision. Ken made a serious point about this simple rule being adhered to.
Ken also would come to my college once or twice a year to talk about history, firearms and their influence on building this country.
imagine that today.

rammercmc · 03-30-2015, 09:19 AM

wonder if that was who I used to see at the Ohio Valley Gun Collectors show in Columbus Ohio. If so his daughter was an engraver as well. They both used ball vises and could engrave an entire pistol while you watched. They used little hammers and gravers and talked to you as they worked. I was impressed !

alanint · 03-30-2015, 12:26 PM

More than likely. Columbus was not too far away. My school was in Gambier, outside Mt. Vernon. He was a little man with a very round face. I never saw Sam touch a power tool of any kind. It was all done with little hammers scribes/gravers.

K.Wilhelm · 03-30-2015, 02:58 PM

Breathtakingly beautiful artistry!

rhuff · 03-30-2015, 03:27 PM

I can see why you are truly proud to own this Luger. This man does beautiful work.

cirelaw · 04-01-2015, 06:31 PM

I can't find him in any search engine~ He show some beautiful talent!! Eric

Anfanger · 04-07-2015, 04:42 PM

http://www.engravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=1598

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-han...iple-lock.html

You have to scroll through to find the posts referring to Sam in these threads.

03-30-2015, 07:50 AM	#1
Anfanger User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Near Cincinnati Posts: 23 Thanks: 93 Thanked 22 Times in 9 Posts	The artistry of Sam Kinemuchi I have very limited info on Sam Kinemuchi. Sam came to the US around 1970 from Japan, where he learned engraving. He worked out of his home, but also in Ken Eyster's gunsmithing shop in Centerburg, OH. Ken's son, Jim, believes Sam is still alive, and I'm working to get contact info for him. There isn't much on the internet about him. Please PM me or post info if you have it, about Sam. Thank you. This is an example of his craft. I'm pleased to own it. 1914 Erfurt Military Luger (Fourth picture is blown out with extra light to show detail.) Attached Thumbnails __________________ "So row well, and live." ~Quintus Arrius Last edited by lugerholsterrepair; 03-30-2015 at 07:32 PM.

03-30-2015, 02:58 PM	#5
K.Wilhelm User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Central Colorado Posts: 215 Thanks: 45 Thanked 109 Times in 66 Posts	Engraved Luger Breathtakingly beautiful artistry! __________________ NRA Endowment Life member Proud veteran of the Naval Security Group

04-07-2015, 04:42 PM	#8
Anfanger User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Near Cincinnati Posts: 23 Thanks: 93 Thanked 22 Times in 9 Posts	Found some info on Sam http://www.engravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=1598 http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-han...iple-lock.html You have to scroll through to find the posts referring to Sam in these threads. __________________ "So row well, and live." ~Quintus Arrius

03-30-2015, 07:58 AM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	I remember watching Sam work. The pieces he turned out were held in the first ball vice I had ever seen. You could stand anywhere, except directly behind him or out of his peripheral vision. Ken made a serious point about this simple rule being adhered to. Ken also would come to my college once or twice a year to talk about history, firearms and their influence on building this country. imagine that today.

03-30-2015, 09:19 AM	#3
rammercmc User Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	wonder if that was who I used to see at the Ohio Valley Gun Collectors show in Columbus Ohio. If so his daughter was an engraver as well. They both used ball vises and could engrave an entire pistol while you watched. They used little hammers and gravers and talked to you as they worked. I was impressed !

03-30-2015, 12:26 PM	#4
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	More than likely. Columbus was not too far away. My school was in Gambier, outside Mt. Vernon. He was a little man with a very round face. I never saw Sam touch a power tool of any kind. It was all done with little hammers scribes/gravers.

03-30-2015, 03:27 PM	#6
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,289 Thanks: 2,704 Thanked 971 Times in 716 Posts	I can see why you are truly proud to own this Luger. This man does beautiful work.

04-01-2015, 06:31 PM	#7
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	I can't find him in any search engine~ He show some beautiful talent!! Eric