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Antique Japanese Tanegashima Matchlock Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,400.00 USD
Antique Japanese Tanegashima Matchlock Rifle
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Antique Japanese Tanegashima Matchlock Rifle, NSNV, approx. .56 cal., muzzle loading, lighted cord match ignition system, 41" (104cm) octagon barrel with flared cannon muzzle, fixed front and rear sights, hinged touch hole cover, external brass spring action with round ball-shaped trigger, and hardwood stock covered with brass decorations. Barrel is signed with a multi-character signature on the bottom side near the breach plug. Top of barrel is decorated with an inlaid dragon in the clouds, done in brass wire and sheet, copper, and silver. Workmanship of the dragon carving and details is very good. Area just behind the cannon muzzle is also decorated with vines and flowers in silver and brass, and a woven copper wire band. Stock has a large impressed symbol on the left side that may be a family inventory stamp. Brass decorations on the stock consist of cherry blossoms, chrysanthemums around the match cord holes, a rabbit in waves on top rear stock, a cherry tree and blossoms and bird on the bottom side, and a small round family mon or crest on the bottom rear. Large rear brass band and a brass inlay next to it are carved to resemble a samurai helmet and chin cord. There is a wooden ramrod present in the stock, and one small barrel band near the front with a brass reinforcing plate under the stock and over the ramrod hole. Overall length of the rifle is 53" (134.6cm). Condition is very good, the barrel showing some cleaning to the dark iron patina around the dragon inlay. Wood stock shows wear, minor dings, scratches and scrapes, losses to the wood and staining near the touch hole area, toning and darkening to the brass inlays on the stock with fingerprint oxidation on a few pieces. Action cocks and fires properly, but the spring is a bit weak to fully deploy the match lever. Overall a very nice example with above-average work on the inlaid barrel and stock. Est.: $1,800-$2,400. (Antique)