Tengu1957

The Yonezawa is 3.85 cm so 100 monme The one closest to the camera and the Yonezawa have never been taken apart since I've had them. Partly because it's kind of a two man job and partly because I'm not good at taking them apart. The one closest to the camera is also 100 monme came from a friend. It's supposed to be made for a minor Daimyo , he did not remember who the maker or Smith was. The kanji on the barrel was translated as "reaching out". The Yonezawa was acquired by the person who sold it to me at a show for US civil war collectors. The owner sold it fast because he was in trouble for having a non civil war item on his table ! The guy in the next town over from me probably has better guns than I do so we should have a Matchlock get together.

I am very curious about the path these big guns took to the US. I believe most of them came over around the turn of the century rather than as war souveniers. They are heavy and easy to damage so I believe they had to be packed correctly. For me personally I have never talked to a very who brought one back. I had two Uncle's now deceased who were part of the occupation forces and married Japanese women. Their stories about how swords were taken and disposed of never mentioned any matchlocks. I think tourists around the turn of the century brought most of the big guns back as curiosities.

Three years ago I missed out on one that was 2.5 meters long and weighed about 100 kilos. It had been on display at a train station in Germany before the war and was taken back to the US after the war. I was really upset because it sold for a relative low cost.

Three years ago I missed out on one that was 2.5 meters long and weighed about 100 kilos. It had been on display at a train station in Germany before the war and was taken back to the US after the war. I was really upset because it sold for a relative low cost.

The one in front is 36.4 kilos.

The shipper just put it in a plastic gun case and then in a cardboard box the gun case came in. Did not mark fragile. It was heavy and you know everyone was throwing it during the shipping process. I paid him to take it to a professional shipper so I guess he preferred to pocket the money.

Yes , you wouldn't believe how it was shipped. I'm very lucky it's in one piece.

26.6 kilos 3.8 cm bore 100 monme 96.5 cm long. I have not taken it apart yet. A very dense and heavy gun , feels much heavier than it is.

The reverse is just the same. Another butterfly.

Iron Moth or Butterfly theme

An Iron Sukashi theme Tsuba

A Myochin Munemasa with Tokubetsu Hozon

Just a guess but I am thinking a repurposed Nagamaki from mid Muromachi that was suriage in early Edo/Momoyama . Not a Naoshi.

Thank you for the information and your time.

This is a composite armor ( not the best), what makes it interesting to me is the Do. It is the heaviest Do I have ever seen with a huge Bonji in gold on the inside, someone must have been really nervous about being shot. The Kabuto is a Myochin school.

I think we have all seen some purses attached to the Do on the outside. I am sorry when I said Haidate , on the front Kasazari there is a purse sewn into the fabric underneath. It's the same frabic as used in the rest of the armor so it's original. When you pull it up the opening is upright so it hangs upside down. The closure is secured by buttons.

This armor has the Do and Menpo signed and dated Myochin Munetaka and dated 1840's. The Menpo is interesting in that it's a crone or old woman. There is a 18 plate helmet also signed and dated that originally came with it , I put this Kabuto on but don't have a pic with me of it. This came from Bill Galeno before he sold his collection.

A Edo period armor , not sure of school . Came with a very nice Bitsu or armor box , in good condition. Had this one a long time.

It's a nice Menpo , I'm sorry I'm not home right now so this is the only other image I have.