1048

Japanese Matchlock Rifle with Royal Mon Silver Inlay and Ornate Stock

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:800.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
Japanese Matchlock Rifle with Royal Mon Silver Inlay and Ornate Stock
The high quality Japanese matchlock is 52 1/4 inches in length and has the distinctive stock with short butt. The unique brass Japanese matchlock action has a serpentine that is cocked against an external leaf spring and released by a stud trigger on the lower portion of the stock. The flash pan is shielded by a brass cover that is manually rotated to expose the priming powder. The barrel is octagon with an inverted "V" front sight and a raised rear sight (base only). The top of the barrel is decorated with a Royal (Crest) Mon silver inlay and another unique geometric design. The breech end of the stock has a brass ring and plate that are decorated with a dragon. The lacquered full stock is decorated with mums on the left side, a fu dog on the right. The stock is pinned to the barrel with three pins and has brass escutcheons in the shape of chrysanthemums at the fastener holes (the pins are missing that secure the barrel), and there are two brass barrel bands. There are five brass overlays on the bottom of the stock, around the trigger, the trigger guard plates, and two ahead of the trigger. There is a small ring ahead of the trigger guard with an aqua and white tassel attached to it. Brass overlays are found on the bottom of the stock for the barrel and lock,
BBL: 40 1/2 inch octagon
Stock: hardwood
Gauge: 48
Finish: brown
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Very good. The barrel shows even moderate oxidation. All of the inlays on the barrel remain and have darkened naturally with age. All of the brass components and overlays have a natural dark aged patina. The stock is very good with exception of a moderate sliver missing on the left rear upper edge, otherwise almost all of the original finish remains and there are a few minor dings and dents. All of the overlays remain. The barrel bands are loose. The action appears to need some work.