My First Teppo, a pistol, I would love some information on this!

[Kmad]

Hi All,

I never saw a Teppo for sale in Ireland before so I decided to but this one,  paid just under 500 dollars which hopefully is an OK price?

Came out the gun collection of one of General D Mac Arthurs staff who had a castle in Ireland,  Col Sean O Driscoll was the officers name. The gun collection was siezed by the Irish police on his death in the 90's and only sold a few weeks ago.

I know absolutely nothing about this gun so I would be very much obliged if someone could tell me anything about it, calibre is 15cm so around 5/8 of an inch 

overall length 23 inches and barrel is 14 inches.

I have attached a picture of the writing on the barrel so can anything be told about where and when it was made and would this be a military gun or civilian?

Best regards

Ken 

[Brian]

Hmm. Pistols are considerably more sought after than long guns, and this one appears correct and not shortened. I think that's a great deal. 

[Kmad]

Hi Brian,

Hopefully someone will be able to give some indication on what the writing means.

Are there any other pictures I need to provide to help know if it is correct or not 

Thanks 

Ken 

[Bugyotsuji]

Yes, agreeing with Brian. Super űber crazy cheap for a ‘bajōzutsu’ carbine pistol like that! Lucky 🍀 find!
 

This was made by a smith in the House of Kagoya in Sesshū (Sakai, Osaka). Mid to late Edo period.

 

(We have a hand cannon from the same collection.)

[Bugyotsuji]

PS the name is corroded, but I’ll work on getting the smith’s personal name. 

[Bugyotsuji]

Yes, it says:

‘Sesshū Jū Kagoya Rokubei Kanetsugu Saku’

摂州住籠谷六兵衛金次作

 

Sadly no dates given for this smith, but Edo period for sure.

[Kmad]

Many thanks for the information Piers

I got a rifle also in the same auction but have yet to get the pins out to remove the barrel.

I was more attracted to the rifle but decided to pick up the pistol/Carbine while i had the chance, can i assume that the lack of decoration and relatively large caliber indicates this is a military item as opposed to civilian?

Kind regards and as usual I will update my gold membership as a thanks for the information pay back, I drop in here whenever I need info on a purchase and don't contribute any knowledge so I might as well pay for the pleasure.

Regards

Ken 

[Bugyotsuji]

Ken, military, yes. Once again, congratulations! 
 

Several of the byō 鋲 pins, (or ‘nails’ as they are called in English gunsmithing, apparently) are missing and will need replacing. Almost everything else seems to be present.

 

When you say ‘rifle’ you may be referring to a Tanegashima Hinawajū smoothbore long gun. (?)

They didn’t get any true rifles until the Bakumatsu period, from abroad.

[Kmad]

Hi Piers,

 

The byo are present I just took them out of the bajōzutsu when taking the pictures

 

Mechanism works perfect and the timber has no cracks or bits missing overall in v v good condition I think.

 

Sorry yes I meant a smoothbore long gun (not a rifle) some nice decoration on it Ill get  some pictures in the next week or so once i remove the byo

 

I just made the 30 $ payment to Brian but it is on you and thanks again.  I am not selling but approx what sort of money would this go for as a matter of interest

 

Regards

 

Ken 

[Bugyotsuji]

Hi Ken,

It depends where you would propose selling it.

In Japan matchlock prices are rather sagging atm. You might get £1,000 at auction there, if properly registered, etc. A private buyer might pay more.

In the UK it could be double that or even more, depending on various factors.

[Brian]

Thank you Ken, the forum appreciates the support. And I guess I owe Piers a meal when I make it to Japan...hopefully next year this time.
Lovely gun. Many of us dream about owning a genuine pistol like this. Rifles are common. 
I'd agree with Pier's valuation, definitely sought after in the UK and USA.

[Kmad]

No Problem re the donation Brian,  worth the few euro for me to know what the item is.

 

It is outside my collecting sphere of Irish Flintlock Pistols, but I tend to stumble on nice Japanese items once a year or so and I have always found this forum very forthcoming with information on my latest find.

 

I will get the long gun pics sorted in the next week or so for your appraisals.

 

Keep well the both of you.

 

Ken 

[Bugyotsuji]

Ken, really appreciate the donation to NMB! 
 

And Brian, I owe you so much over the years. That meal is definitely on me! Just promise not to get in any fights before then! LOL

[Lareon]

Hi Ken,

A few times i've had brass pins in my teppo that have been deformed and took a fair bit of effort to get out. eventually did it, i usually turn to piers for anything related to teppo to, It's not my main field of collecting but somehow without realising it, i've bought 5 this year, so i've got no excuse.