Michaelr Posted Sunday at 11:34 PM Report Posted Sunday at 11:34 PM I recently picked up this matchlock from a friend. It is approximately 42” overall, with a 29 3/4” barrel and a bore of approximately .59”. I will post as many pictures as I can. The first picture of the single character is found on the underside of the barrel. The many pictures of top of the of the barrel show a gold Mon, above a large Kangi or symbol. The engraving on the barrel appears to be maybe a plumb tree with a couple dragon flies, with some silver and gold. The hammer is also pretty ornate. Inside the stock it appears to have 3-4 sets of characters. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Any discussion would also be appreciated. Thank you in advance and hope you enjoy. Mike 3 1 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted Sunday at 11:59 PM Report Posted Sunday at 11:59 PM The barrel decorations were probably all added in Meiji, after the end of the Edo Period. It was common then to add a Tokugawa Mon in brass like that, and the single character is likely the ‘Kao’ of the inlay artist. There is a single upside-down 山 Kanji character which means mountain but makes no sense there on its own. Nothing else written under the barrel? There are crudely scratched numbers 二十六 (26) which may be an order run number. The serpentine and lock plate look good. The pan cover is probably a replacement, as too the amaooi rain guard. The priming pan looks a little messed up. Were you able to open the large bisen breech screw? There are various other comments one could make, but some of the most important parts are not visible in those photos. A good study piece! 4 Quote
Michaelr Posted Monday at 01:17 AM Author Report Posted Monday at 01:17 AM Thank you Piers. It looks like someone tried to remove the breech screw with no luck so I think I will leave it alone. I didn’t see anything else under the barrel but maybe I expected any other marks to be as clear as that one. What other pictures would be beneficial? Again as always thank you for your quick response and help. Mike 1 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted Monday at 09:44 AM Report Posted Monday at 09:44 AM The bore is 0.59" which is 1.49 cm, around 5 Monme, originally an army long gun. Many of the crudely scratched numbers will have been notations for the workshop artisans. Can you get overall shots Mike of the gun from the right side and the left side? Might help narrow down where it was made? An angled shot into the pan with vent hole visible might be good too. Do you know exacty where that Yama 山 kanji is located? The underside of the barrel is smooth otherwise? Quote
Michaelr Posted Monday at 07:30 PM Author Report Posted Monday at 07:30 PM Piers here are a couple pictures of the overall gun that you requested. The mark on the bottom of the barrel is 9 3/4” up from the Breech screw and is pointing toward the muzzle. I took a better look at the bottom of the barrel and there dosent appear to be any other marks. It is all smooth with some light rust. Also a couple pictures of the pan and vent hole. If you need anything else please let me know. Thank you for all your help. Mike 1 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted Monday at 10:51 PM Report Posted Monday at 10:51 PM OK, those are great. Thanks Mike. The pan lid (hinged cover) and pin are non-standard but I guess they would perform the role just fine. Nice fluted barrel. I’m thinking somewhere geographically non-mainstream, but without my reference books here I cannot yet pin it down in my mind. Quote
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