Japanese Matchlocks

rickystl said:

These matchlocks are indeed interesting. These matchlocks were built without the use of a single screw. The only threaded connection is the breech plug to the barrel.

Click to expand...

Even the breech plugs are amazing. I can't imagine how they cut these threads in the 1600s. This is the breech plug out of mine, it took me about 6 months to get it out.

If wanted or needed a' hand & eye' filed up thread can be made when apon by flatting the sides & then hardening by extensive case hardening a basic tap is created this then can enlarge a hole that being well annealed admit of being tapped to form a ' die' then gaps are filed to allow cutting edges . This rude' die' being then hardened will give you the rudest course tap & die set of tools .
" Outer Mongolian fine' or if needed ' Byzantium standard Acme ' ( OMF & BSA respectively) This is light years away from what any tool shop can sell you BUT it will allow you to mate with many old old items of armour or guns such as the Japo breach plug, and I have a Nigerian ' Dane gun' with threads made & used in just this same manner .Rough as bags ! sure but its works & these taps & dies are often used on Indian guns .I took out sets of BA & other taps & dies but they made their own by copying them which was Not my idea at all !. If you have a 'Native" lock to make new screws for , whittle a stick round to screw it into the hole then follow by hand & eye the pitch of your stick only a whisker fuller (larger) when apon by the above method produce the desired replacement screw . And you thought 'Ruff' was a dog's name .


Regards Rudyard

Like many soldiers the Samurai were interested in all weapons not just their swords . Most would know how "Flying weapons " like matchlocks and bows worked and would be able to use one if required , even if they carried swords most of the time .

brownac1983 said:

Even the breech plugs are amazing. I can't imagine how they cut these threads in the 1600s. This is the breech plug out of mine, it took me about 6 months to get it out.

View attachment 161673

Click to expand...

Hi Brownac

My breech plug - and all others I've seen - look exactly the same. On my plug there was also small remains of some type of tar-like substance which I believe was used as a thread sealant. I found the plug itself just threads down flush with the face of breech. No further tightening. The head of the plug keeps from coming loose when it is fitted into the slot in the stock. Instead of a shorter threaded section with fine threads, like most breach plugs, they opted for a simpler, coarse pipe type thread using a much longer threaded section with some type of sealant. Apparently, it worked. When I reassembled mine, I used a high temperature, automotive thread sealant - that does NOT harden.
I believe that most of the original Japanese matchlocks we see today were made from the middle 18th to early 19th Century. So thread cutting technology by then would have been much better than around 1600.

Rick

granth said:

As Japan became more western during the Meiji Era, many of the old practices from the Edo Period (such as wearing kimono, etc) were replaced in every day life with western practices. During festivals and special occasions, many of these traditions are practiced, which I think is really cool! Although the samurai are extinct, martial arts such as judo and kendo are programs in Japanese schools!

Click to expand...

Grant, you need to ask Joe to bring his original Japanese matchlock to one of the meets.

fishmusic said:

Grant, you need to ask Joe to bring his original Japanese matchlock to one of the meets.

Click to expand...

He has one? I would love to see one in person!

granth said:

Although the samurai are extinct, martial arts such as judo and kendo are programs in Japanese schools!

Click to expand...

The Samurai are not extinct , the sword wielding Samurai Warrior has disappeared from the streets but many Japanese and their Families are proudly Samurai , many are to be found in business and government etc .