Japanese 54 bore Matchlock, 33.5 inch barrel with script reading ‘23’ made by Daishido Jinzaemon (Dai-shi-do , Jin-za-e-mon) the tube decorated with a flaming pearl and dragons, fitted into Akagashi, red oak stock, together 50 calibre bullet mould and a fitted case with foam inner, leather backed with leather handle and strap, made of pitch pine.
Section 58 (2) Antique / obsolete calibre, can be owned without a licence. Buyer must be over the age of 18, age verification will be required if the lot is to be posted out.
This matchlock was used and shot in competitions until recently, the breach plug has been re-threaded and replaced in 2015. The touch hole and pan were mended and laser welded in 2015.
The maker was probably from Settsu City, Osaka although the gun has some features relating to the town of Kunitomo which is located in the central part of Honshu Island quite near Lake Biwa.
The Mon is: Sagari-fuji mon - usually used by the Fujiwara clan, The wisteria itself has a very long lifespan and an especially high rate of propagation, traits that the mon's users hoped to receive themselves!
On the barrel is: A flaming pearl or 'Hoju' the precious jewel of life and mystery This represents wisdom/wealth/luck and the eternal pursuit of it. This along with the Dragons were added on possibly for sale to the western market
The script in the wooden barrel channel - highly likely production number of gun, with the same number written inside the barrel. This is the number 23 of a lot order by one daimyo (clan leader) for his troops.
Under Urabe's gunsmith list there is a Daishido Jinzaemon in Settsu Province who signed a gun with the date 安永4年, (1776) which (assuming this is the same smith) tells us that he was making guns before and/or after 1776, so this can be used as an approximate date.’
Dimensions: 121cm long
POSTAGE AND SHIPPING INFORMATION
This is a 'live online' auction - you can bid from the comfort of your own home using our free live bidding service.
Sold for £500
Auction: Firearms, Shotguns, Airguns, Arms and Militaria, 8th Feb, 2023
Wednesday 8th February sale now fully online.
Firearms, Shotguns, Airguns, Arms & Militaria Auction.
This is an online auction with telephone bids and absentee bids. There is no audience in the room.
For more information contact our specialist Chris Large: chris.large@wilson55.com
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Monday 6th 10-4pm
Tuesday 7th 10-4pm
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