Matchlock Gun

  The Japanese encountered firearms in 1543 when a Portuguese ship carrying them was wrecked.  They made copies, but although guns were used in Japan, swords remained the preferred weapon until the 1850s when Japan was forced into contact with the West.   This matchlock gun, dating from around 1800-1860, has an octagonal barrel which is decorated with an inlayed silver dragon on top.  There are small plum blossoms along the sides of the barrel.  There is also a shishi (a Chinese lion-like creature) on the handle.  The firing mechanism is of the snap-lock type. Gifted by Mrs Murray.
Object no :
NA
Collection :
Samurai and Society
Creator :
NA
Place of Production :
Japan
Dimensions :
NA
Materials :
Wood, silver and brass
Location :
NA
Accession number :
DUMFM:1952.7
Copyright :
NA
2 Fmedia2 F11724562 F1952 7 a

More objects in this Collection

2 Fmedia2 F11729512 F0199 75 a
Okimono (ornament) (1)
  Although it is slightly damaged this okimono (ornament), probably from the late nineteenth centur
2 Fmedia2 F11725322 F72j a
Knife sheath (kozuka)
  This kozuka (a handle for a small knife) is decorated with birds.  Kozuka often fit through a hol
2 Fmedia2 F11724962 F0212 221 a
Dagger (tantō)
                                                        What appears to be a closed fan actually hi
2 Fmedia2 F11725142 F0212 222 a
Sword (wakizashi) with tsuba and sheath
  As one of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan, the sword represents valour, and a samurai's sword
2 Fmedia2 F11727912 F61j a
Tsuba
  There are many sword fittings but the most prominent is the tsuba (hand guard), which protects th
You must enable javascript to view this website