SILVER INLAID Antique JAPANESE MATCHLOCK “Tanegashima” ARQUEBUS .56 Musket Fascinating Ancient Weaponry w/INLAID SILVER KAMON

Product Description

SILVER INLAID Antique JAPANESE MATCHLOCK “Tanegashima” ARQUEBUS .56 Musket

Fascinating Ancient Weaponry w/INLAID SILVER KAMON

Here we present an antique Japanese Matchlock Tanegashima Arquebus Musket. This was a more refined matchlock musket that utilized a lock and trigger mechanism instead of the more primitive hand-held match. Use of this type of firearm in Japan dates to the mid-16^th Century, when the Portuguese brought this 15^th Century European concept to the shores of the Japanese Island of Tanegashima, for which the musket is named. With just a few examples, Japanese swordsmiths were able to duplicate and produce their own on a large scale, forever changing how wars would be fought in Japan by the end of the 16^th Century. They proved decisive in settling the internal wars, so that Japan lived in relative peace and isolation for the next 250 years. The Tanegashima continued to be produced and used until about the end of the Edo Period, when Commodore Perry established contact in the mid-19^th Century. Conflict again rose to the surface but was decided by modern weapons of the period.

This is a very interesting weapon when compared to those most of us are familiar with today. These were not shoulder-fired weapons, so they do not have a provision to brace the stock against one’s body. A braided cord, known as the “slow match”, would have a burning ember at the end. The slow match is held by the spring-loaded arm known as the “serpentine”. The serpentine is put into the cocked position when ready to fire, and the hinged cover moved from over the flash pan. A simple pull of the trigger plunged the serpentine and the slow match into the flash pan, detonating the charge within the gun. The top of the barrel bears beautiful silver floral décor inlayed into the barrel.

The overall condition is good. Untouched. Solid stock. Smooth bore. The action is functional.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 41-1/2 inches.

Caliber: .56 Matchlock

Overall condition as seen in photos.

Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. Delivered directly to your door by express mail!

Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.

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$2200
#230757