Fine And Important Highly Decorated Lacquer Stock Japanese Matchlock Carbine (tanegashima) Circa 1800

22 and 3/4 inch cannon muzzle. 58 caliber. The barrel with lovely ribbed flat profusely decorated for the first 12 inches in hira hogan inlay brilliantly depicting a dragon amid clouds in sentoku, copper, and silver. The silver object of the dragon’s pursuit inlaid 7 inches from the large onion muzzle which is wreathed in heavy silver ribs. Silver fore-sight.

The plain snap matchlock lock with chrysanthemum, the serpent as a piece of bamboo. The barrel band of brass finely engraved with the horns of a kabuto midaete, cross hatching, and writhen borders. To the rear of the band is a brass inlay engraved with a kabuto characteristic of guns from Sakai but better rendered. The iron triggerguard (invariably these are in brass) with silver “toad skin” decoration. The underside of the stock inlaid with two finely engraved large dragons facing each other nearly covering the entirety of the surface. Silver flowers frame the retaining pin holes. The butt inlaid with Buddhist prayer wheels in sentoku, silver, and black enamel. The wood stock entirely lacquered with Tokugawa mon, leaves and tendrils in gold  hiramakie lacquer.

The barrel of exceptional quality with 15 character signature. Barrel condition is very fine with little wear to the splendid inlay. Lock is fine and functions retaining all original parts. Lacquer stock with minor wear and one crack beginning on left side opposite the lock but stable and does not detract. Bore is fair. 34 and 1/2 inches overall.

This is one of the finest and rarest Japanese matchlock guns we have had the pleasure to offer and Collectors Armoury has had more than any other store in the United States. This tanegashima is a gem example.