Rifle-Muskets in "Last Samurai "

[Stantheman86]

Not 100% accurate historically but the Imperial Japanese Army did purchase bunches of our surplus Civil War era rifle-muskets and used them in the beginning of the Boshin War of 1868. They were quickly replaced by Snider rifles.

In the 1870s, the setting of the movie , these soldiers would not have had these weapons but it makes for a more exciting battle sequence.

I still always enjoy the "61 Springfield armed soldiers Vs Samurai " battle scene though.

What I really need is one of those cool helmets.

 

[Musketeer]

Have you by any chance read Giving Up The Gun by Noel Perrin? It gives some decent history of early firearms in Japan up until the 1880s. I had a copy years ago, but it was lost in a move, along with all my old Sam Fadala black powder books.

 

[Stantheman86]

I'll have to get that. I'm oddly very interested in the American weapons that got sold to different countries.

 

[JeffG]

I suspect those books were all lost to the same man.

 

[sportster73hp]

This movie playing Jan24 2021. I purchased a 43 mauser from gibbs rifle with a letter saying it was used for the movie. Sorry black powder but not a muzzleloader

 

[Zonie]

We don't talk about guns that shoot self contained cartridges on the forum.

 

[appalichian hunter]

Stan, when you get the helmet do not forget the correct sandals.