Viper6924

May I echo Piers by stating that I struggle to find anything said on those pictures I think it’s a sweet little matchlock that still retains a lot of its original charm. I would probably only fix the ramrod and then be done with it. Let me add that if you feel to embarrassed owning such a matchlock, you already got my adress Piers, I’m packing my bags as we speak... Jan

Please do, Justin! I’m doing some research on the Hino style, so I like to see as many Hino-matchlocks as possible. Jan

Can’t you start a Hino-thread and post some pictures, Justin? Jan

Here you go, Brian! https://www.gunbroker.com/item/876830322 Jan

I just found this matchlock up for sale online. Asking price you might ask? Well, a cool $25.000 Not so cool is that screen shots from this forum, ended up on the same sale page. When you thought you seen it all... Jan

Hi! I’m seing some Sendai in this matchlock. Even if doesn’t have the characteristic elongated holder for the fuse (kaiguchi), this matchlock reminds me of some examples I encounterd in and around of Sendai. Have you removed the barrel from the stock? I have a feeling it might be signed. Jan

The price is always right when you get someone to pay it. As Peter says, percussion conversions usually sells at a lower price compared to unaltered matchlocks. Partly because the original weapon has been modified. But the quality of the modification, also plays an important part. I’ve seen really bad conversion, that more or less ruined the gun. But I have also seen signed conversions of the highest quality. The latter is, at least in my mind, more historically ”correct” and warrant a higher price. The conversion on this specific gun is somewhat odd with obvious parts missing. But the major problem with it, is the fact that the barrel and stock is orginally from two different matchlocks. I can see this gun being ”brought together” during the late 19th century and used for hunting. The stock with the decorations, looks middle to late Edo period. The barrel, well, that can be pretty much anything. Jan

Now that’s some good-looking matchlocks, BaZZa! Just the way I like em’ They are very similar. Cool to have several guns from the same smith. Regarding the first post, I can hardly see a thing. Hope you can provide some better pictures, because from the little I can see, it looks interesting. Jan

Sean; what you have here is a matchlock converted to percussion use. The stock and all the fittings speaks of Sakai, but when I see the picture of the muzzle, I’m quite certain that the original barrel has been replaced with the currant one. The barrel is too short for the stock. Someone has done it’s best to recycle parts from at least two guns. Jan

Outstanding, my friend! All that information from a single vase. Like Brian just stated, sometimes it’s nice to just have a long read about something you find fascinating Jan

Dear Malcolm! Congrats to a very fine and rare scroll depicting Fudo Myoo. Being my personal guardian diety, Fudo Myoo holds a special place in my heart. As a result, I have gathered a small collection of intersting Fudo Myoo artifacts. Amongst them are two so called Ash-Buddha’s (not sure about the correct term in Japanese). These small tablets are made from the ash originating from the Goma fire-ritual, which is an important part of the Shingon sect of Esoteric Buddhism. They have a connection to your scroll as both were manufactured at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple. Good luck with your research! Jan

Tony, let me put you at ease! You bought a genuine matchlock and a quite interesting one. We like to call these matchlocks ”cavalry-matchlock” because of it’s shorter size compared to the standard size. I’ve always had my doubts that matchlocks could be used from a horseback as it requires the use of both hands, but that’s another story From the looks of it, I think that this carbine might have some age to it. In good condition with only the ramrod and the rainprotector situated over the pan, missing. Looks to have two mekugi-pins which would render the extra brass-band obsolete. What caliber does it have (in cm)? Would be great if you could remove the barrel and look for a signature. Again, congrats to your first matchlock. You sure did better than me Jan

Regarding the use of tentsuki within the Ii clan; it was only members of the main family that was allowed to use golden coloured tentsuki. Others had to settle for silver. Jan

I took 10 minutes and went through the lots. On the plus side I like that they put some effort into the presentation. And they managed to put together an ”eclectic” collection of matchlocks, most of them late Edo period. On the other side, a lot of what is written is quite frankly rubbish. And just giving the objects a cursory glance, reveals a lot of ”alterations” especially to the stocks. The prices? As per usual, over the top. Jan

and one described as Awa... I guess the person writing these descriptions must have read a book that we both missed :) Jan