Have just returned from two weeks in Japan and was able to snap a few pics of museum pieces.
Some sort of early hand gun I presume. Handle wrapped with ray skin as was done with katana.Very nice indeed - the weapons and the photos. What, exactly, is the short gun in the third photo?
Very nice indeed - the weapons and the photos. What, exactly, is the short gun in the third photo?
'Cheek weld', held firm to the side of their face.how did they aim/fire/hold them to shoot with out a butt stock?
Apparently some were made dual purpose and had a gun barrel.It is in the form of the jitte or Edo-era police truncheon. This served as a "badge" so people knew the person so-equipped was an officer, and it could be used to disarm a sword-armed miscreant. The side prong may be used to "catch" the blade like the so-called "sword breaker."
Thanks for the photos!
They are fired by holding the short butt to their cheek in the lighter arms . The more massive pieces are fired from the hip. One such was demonstrated at the First International match at Quantico Va by one of the Japonese team suitably dressed . These matchlocks are the ONLY guns the Civilian Japonese are are allowed to own & fire . The International MLAIC event for Matchlock are shot at 55 yards off hand & one match is knealing best ten of13 shots within 30 minets . the target being the French Musket target a scaled up version of the' PL 7/ ISU' target . Standard to Muzzle loading International events .There being matches for Original & replica classes .
The shoot is called the 'Tanagashima' as this port was the first place Portugease traders first sold off a broken Venetion snap matchlock that would have had a shoulder stock but the crafty Portugees.whittled the long butt off perhaps it was rotted or damaged ? . So the Japonees made copies if being unable to cut screw threads or odd as it seems make springs of steel. Used pins, bands, and brass but retained the basic form into the 1850s since Japan effectley closed its doors to all outside contact for the better part of 300 years . .I have asserted that the origin is based of Venitian snap matchlocks which where to original AK 47 of Tudor times examples recovered from the wreck of the' Mary Rose' ( Sank 1546 from memory ) But it was also a view concluded by Guy Wilson formally of the Royal armouries . " Build a better matchlock & the world will beat a path to your door !' . Complete nonsense of course but sounds good !. Regards Rudyard
PS I see Flint Smoothy beat me to it but its the same message Cheers Rudyard
Take a look at German Wheelock ‘colts foot Rifles’ I THINK that the Japanese used those as a model seen via Dutch traders before Japan was shut down.how did they aim/fire/hold them to shoot with out a butt stock?
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