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Japenese Matchlock replica musket

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Hello,

I have heard that someone made a Replica Japanese matchlock musket. Does anyone have any information about it? Where could one acquire one? I am looking for a shooter.

Thank you
 
Dixie Gun Works still lists them in their catalog, item MM0005. They've gotten pretty pricey but are still available. They're made by Miroku and it's patterned after an original from Kunitomo.
 
Wes/Tex said:
Dixie Gun Works still lists them in their catalog, item MM0005. They've gotten pretty pricey but are still available. They're made by Miroku and it's patterned after an original from Kunitomo.
No more left ... they only have the cherry stock and a few misc parts.
 
I see the stock is $249.95. Would be a pretty good start for a project.
 
There are alot of custom builders out there that would take a commission to replicate just about anything you can provide pictures of. Wont be cheap tho.

What is your budget? Do you want off the shelf or are you willing to do some work/learnin? Do you want something that actually replicates the unique or recgonizable features of a matchlock manufactured/used on the Islands of Japan?

Probabley the first step is to decide exactly what you want.

Here is the good news- FCI barrels- Oregon Barrels and likely others will make you a barrel that will be an exact match to the profile/style you desire. i.e the muzzle seems pretty unique in many arms from Japan. In the time it takes to recieve the barrel anyone with the willingness to work can make a lock to be proud of. Especially a match lock.

While all that is going on it might be wise to figure out what originals were stocked in? Get that kind of wood and peck away at inletting-shaping- or you can have the wood/barrel shipped to someone who will do a 100% job on inletting.

Remaining furniture etc is all doable and likely doable in a 100% HC manner.

An actual replica of a historically correct Japanese matchlock would be a pretty cool arm to own/shoot. short of that maybe there is an off the shelf arm or kit that would replicate a portugese or other Japanese trade partner arm or an arm fielded by an enemy force. Any of those would have a connection to Japanese shooters that may satisfy.

You can also do these things in a step wise manner- make a plain generic matchlock- learn, enjoy, experience AND then with the new knowledge slowly and carefully replicate your dream gun.

How about the "sniper" gun used in that Korean movie " The Admiral: Roaring currents" fun stuff
 
Navy Arms also imported repro's from Japan for a while in the late 80's/90's and sold them for right under $400.00, but dropped the price to around $300.00 to finish getting rid of them, as they were never a popular gun outside International Shooting that had a match specifically for them.

I worked on four originals and a few repro's at two World Championships. The originals with their BRONZE springs amazed me and especially one that had a flat Bronze coil spring in it. Not sure what it would take to replicate making a spring from Bronze today.

Gus
 
I had a Miroku matchlock for a while. It was 50 cal smoothbore. It was well made and looked cool, but the design wasn't really authentic, which made it hard to shoot.

The originals I have seen have tapered barrels, generally, with an acorn finial at the muzzle. The Miroku was made with a thick-wall straight octagon barrel. It was extremely nose heavy, what with the small cheek stock. You'd need a left arm of steel to keep it steady.

The sights were weird as well. Notch in front, odd peep sight in the back.
 
Once in a very great while a Miroku comes up for sale on one of the Internet auctions. But it's rare, and they seem to sell quickly.
That stock, mentioned above and any spare parts might be a good starting point. As also mentioned just about any type of barrel can be duplicated. But be prepered to wait a year. Also, the pans on the originals were either forged with the barrel or forged welded in place with a keeper. Would be an expensive barrel. The lock (as locks go) would be relatively easy to make for an experienced locksmith.
If you have to commission all the work and assembly to a gunsmith, could get rather pricey.
Another option is to purchase an original. The plainer ones with little/no decoration can often be had at a reasonable price. The barrels on these guns are usually heavy walled octagon. The barrels can be easily burnished and the lock may need a little work. But then you will have a safe shooting original for probably less than a custom replica.
I notice you live in Maryland. The largest antique arms show is in Baltimore every March. I've noticed quite a few plain originals for sale there evey year.
Here is my original that had just that type of work done to it. Just a thought.
Yes, the sights, especially the rear is very unusual. They were made to insert seperate, different inserts depending on the anticipated range.

Rick
 
Something that I have never seen is a set of drawings for one of these, that would facilitate making a reproduction.
 
I have an original. Not fancy just ordnance grade, the barrel was relined & a new breech plug made & fitted by John Taylor of Puyallup, WA. I haven't shot it much since the reline, but seem to think it was shooting high, so may need some sight adjustment.
 
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