SUPERB*RARE*Pre 1871 Sasayama Castle Samurai Nagai Family Clan Mon Marked .500 Calibre Matchlock Rifled Musket Maker Signed ‘IETSUGU’ Castle Armoury Gun Number ‘6’, With Octagonal Barrel, Tooled Brass Fittings & Silver & Gold Leaf Decoration. Sn 2 With Octagonal Barrel, Tooled Brass Fittings & Silver & Gold Leaf Decoration. Sn 21572:5 Single Shot .50 Rifles

*SUPERB*RARE*Pre 1871 Sasayama Castle Samurai Nagai Family Clan Mon Marked .500 Calibre Matchlock Rifled Musket Maker Signed ‘IETSUGU’ Castle Armoury Gun Number ‘6’, With Octagonal Barrel, Tooled Brass Fittings & Silver & Gold Leaf Decoration. Sn 21572:5 - 21572:5

The matchlock was the first mechanism, or "lock" invented to facilitate the firing of a hand-held firearm. This design removed the need to lower by hand a lit match into the weapon's flash pan and made it possible to have both hands free to keep a firm grip on the weapon at the moment of firing, and, more importantly, to keep both eyes on the target. This superb, rare to find, quality made, Japanese matchlock has been examined by UK Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg, a copy of his hand written notes accompany the matchlock and can be read in image 2. In his notes Bill identifies the impressed Mon family badge on the underside of the stock as being that of the Nagai Samurai family who were retainers of the Aoyama Daimyo of Tamba province. The Nagai remained in service in Sasayama castle until the abolition of the Feudal system in 1871. He also identifies an inscription on the inside of the stock as being possibly the signature of the maker ‘IETSUGU’ and a castle armoury gun number ‘6’. Sasayama Castle was an early Edo Period Japanese castle located in the city of Tamba-Sasayama. The Sasayama area is a strategic junction of highways from Kyoto to both the San'in region, and the San'yo regions of western Japan. The castle was torn down in 1871 after the Meiji Restoration, Its ruins have been protected as a National Historic Site since 1956). The finely rifled bore of the rifle’s sighted 33 ½” octagonal blued steel barrel is clean. It measures 47 ¼” overall length. The barrel has Gold & Silver leaf decoration and its full wood stock has brass fittings with hand tooled foliate decoration. The action correctly moves the brass 'quick match' to the powder pan and the weapon is fitted with wood ram rod. The price for this highly desirable, rare matchlock with connections to a Samurai family and historic castle includes UK delivery. NB as an antique matchlock musket no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 21572:5

£2,750.00