ROY RICKETTS

Thank you Piers I have looked at it under a strong magnifying glass and find I am unable to read the last two characters so you have done far better than I. It is such a pity but I guess we will never truly know any more than you have so patiently discovered my thanks again for all your research on my behalf. Roy

Hi Piers Many thanks for contacting me I trust that I have understood you correctly Attached please find my humble attempts using my box Brownie sadly I think that these are the best results that I am likely to get. Best as always Roy

Thank you Piers both for your advise and input May I ask if you ever came up with those three possible gunsmiths for my gun. Roy

Many thanks for the visual glossary on match lock terms I now have an understanding of what others are referring to.

Thank you everyone for this input it would appear that the trail is coming to an end on this particular subject once I have the final possible gunsmiths I will try and put it all together. Then my search shall begin again for the bug has bitten deeply.

Gentlemen for those I have offended I offer my humble and most sincere apologies you can put it down to shear ignorance on my part. I was so passionate about discovering what this most interesting gun was all about, a passion I know that almost all of you share, a passion I would add that has become somewhat diminished. Justin I thank you for coming to my defence and assistance I feel somewhat alone out here and at my age I make mistakes of judgement. Malcolm you were there from the start my concern is that I may have offended you most of all. Piers my thanks to you for allowing me briefly to enter this wonderful world ( and this form ) of Japanese art. Roy

Thank you Justin your input is much appreciated here are the images using your talc method I hope they prove useful!

Hi Piers Did you have any more luck interpreting the Character on the additional image I posted or indeed with the lock smith your help is much appreciated. Roy

Many thanks for your reply sadly I have attached my latest attempt but I am unable to get a better image of the lower of the three kanji as it appears to have been in a vice at some time and it has crushed the characters I have posted several more images of the gun and I have attached an image of the Kamon. Regards Roy

Many thanks for all your comments further images are downloaded could anyone possibly give me a date of this gun.Those asking for further specific images these will follow. My thanks again Roy

Hi Thank you so much for your comments and help your response is much appreciated I am going to post additional images and would appreciate your comments Roy

Hi Thank you so much for your comments and help your response is much appreciated I am going to post additional images and would appreciate your comments Roy

Hi Thank you so much for your comments and help your response is much appreciated I am going to post additional images and would appreciate your comments Roy

Gentleman, I have joined the forum because I have recently purchased a Japanese matchlock and would be grateful if someone could please tell me the meaning of the characters on the underside of the barrel. I have been an antique gun collector for 50 years and this is my first matchlock. I am happy to supply further images if required. Many thanks and look forward to hearing from you. Roy