Checkered Butts on High Grades

[Austin W Hogan]

I spent the winter 1970 - 71 in Hokkaido, the northernmost home island. There was a new W94 in a jewelry store window for the equivalent of $600 US- the Nikon F with micro nikkor that I bought there cost $94 US. Japan has always had huge duties on imported goods; I had to formally register my Omega watch and Leica camera when I entered. When I departed they pulled out the reciepts and checked them off.
The W94 was apparently for the small bear that is native to Hokkaido. One of the people I worked with had a bearhound, that was much like a bassett. These dogs were also used for rabbitt hunting. I saw quite a few parties of 6 - 8 hunters and dogs hunting rabbitts on Sundays.
I doubt if those half price Parkers were for the home island trade; more likely for the islands of the Empire, much like the British and Stoeger sold muzzle loaders and single shots in Africa.

Best, Austin