Edo Era Japanese Tanegashima Matchlock 27 1/2″ .72 Caliber Musket, Antique

SOLD FOR: $1,025.00

LSB#: WY241003WOA001

Make: Japanese

Model: Tanegashima Matchlock Musket

Serial Number: NSNV

Year of Manufacture: 1603 – 1868 

Caliber: Approximately .72 Caliber

Action Type: Matchlock Muzzleloading Musket

Barrel Length: 27 1/2”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade forged to a bell at the muzzle-end of the barrel. There is a block at the rear of the barrel which may be missing a rear sight.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a one piece, wood full stock and has a channel for a ramrod (not present). The wood shows minor dings and scratches. A small crack is present at the rear of the lock plate that does not flex when pressed. There is a loss at the pin escutcheon on the left-front of the forend. There is a stain running down the top of the stock behind the barrel. Overall, the stock is in Very Good-plus condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: No finish remains.

Finish Originality: There are no signs of a new finish being applied.

Bore Condition: The bore is dark gray with evenly scattered moderate erosion. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 5 or 6 out of 10.

Overall Condition: The finish has turned to a patina with some scratches and surface oxidation. There is some scattered surface erosion. There are Japanese characters on the left of the barrel that show some wear, but we do not know their significance. Overall, this musket is in Very Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly, if a little sticky. Cleaning will likely help. We have not fired this musket. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The matchlock design first made its way to the shores of Japan in the mid-1500s, brought by Portuguese explorers. They would go on to play a role in the end of the Sengoku period of warfare which ended with the victory of Tokugawa Ieyasu. The peace brought by the Tokugawa Shogunate, combined with the policy of Sakoku which isolated Japan from foreign powers, led the use of firearms to decline significantly, and didn’t see much motivation to improve on their design. The Japanese matchlock, or Tanegashima, would see little use or development during this peaceful period. We suspect that accounts for the condition of this example which could have been made as late as the 1800s. It has appropriate design elements and condition for an original. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud