Alans

Spot on Lars and Piers - I managed with callipers to measure further down the barrel, and indeed it is 13mm! Thanks again for your valuable information.

Hey Piers , ( notice I got you name right this time- apologies! ) thank you so much again for all the info and advice ! I do appreciate it. Yes _ was referring to the Bamboo leaf as a mon . Doh! yes apologies - the barrel length is 1005mm as for the bore- I have measured again and it does seem to be coming out at 15mm?

Hi All, I am hoping you can give me information on this now my 2nd Tanegashima . Lars you were so helpful last time I asked - I'm hoping you can oblige again please. So Length is 1300 overall , and barrel alone is 1300 , bore is 15mm . If you could please translate the Mei ( Believe me I have tried - but I'm useless! ) Also id like to know which clan the Mon is. I'll have to upload more pics to help you - help me so I will try to reply to my own message and add more pics hoping it works. Also ..back to rust - as you can see it is a little rusty under the barrel - so my aim is to remove as much with a copper penny and brass brush and then just oil with maybe Camellia oil or 3 in 1?..then again Ive just read ACF 50 is superior at controlling rust? Last but not least - not sure you can see - but there is an area where there seems to be a split- I don't think it is deep - but also you can see an area it has lost its brass inlay. Would it be worth while/wise to replace the brass inlay - if so is there any links on how to achieve this? Thank you in advance .

Wow! thank you so much Piers! A lot of great information and advice you have provided me with😊. It gives me something to research further too. Very interesting to learn the barrel could be made from Nihonto grade steel . I have tried to track down a decent book on Tanegashima - I will definitely look at your suggestions of books . Piers you mention trying to contact “ Mito” - could I ask have you got contact details ? Also , is there a “ sticky” or thread which gives information on best way to care for your Tanegashima ( ie - cleaning and “oiling “ the Barrel and parts - removing rust - etc ? ) Thanks Lars for the compliments of my new gun. Yes that swallowtail butterfly is same - or very similar.. one thing I do not come across - well here in the UK is Japanese black powder flasks .. love the one you have ! Thanks again guys😊

Hi all, I have recently acquired a nice Tanegashima . Could you knowledgable folk help me with a few questions about this particular weapon. First I notice it is a small , light and highly decorated. Overall length is 1090mm and barrel out of the stock os 770mm. The bore measures 9mm across . I have been told/ read - it is a small bore hunting weapon , and also read- During the Edo period samurai on horse back would carry these type of weapons - as they were very light, and easy to manage - but also - just showing off there wealth ( Hey I can afford a fine weapon - just look at the decoration!) Also, when I first bought it - I thought the inlay and metal was all brass - upon giving it a little clean it seems to be silver. ( Should I clean to show off the silver or leave it alone? ) The other thing I want to do is get the missing foresight made and replaced - Can anyone point me in the right direction of what shape of foresight and size should I get made - given the rear sight shape and size in pics . Also can anyone tell me what the Mei says please. So many questions I know ! but any help will be appreciated Thanks Alan .

Hey all , thanks for your reply’s and links . I will keep hold of this information for future reference. I have now been fixed up with quality sword bags from a very nice gentleman on here and I will be picking them up at the Birmingham Arms Fair . 👍 Alan

Thanks Ken , I was looking for a more traditional bag - but I may consider this too .

Thanks everyone… RAWA - I had a look at the sword bags on offer in the USA … I think they look a bit tired - but thanks for the link . Tohagi - thanks for the info regarding brocade . Colin , I’m after just two for now for a Katana and a Waki .. yes - I do go the the BMA , it’s seems a shame no one in the UK makes them ( seems to be a market for them . ) Alan

Hi there , I’m ashamed to say after being a member for several years - this may be my very first post! Anyhow … does anyone know where I can get a good quality sword bag(s) especially if available in the UK . I’m particularly interested in them being padded and lined as not to cause damage to the fittings and the Koshirae Best regards Alan