Japanese matchlock Teppo

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by fearn

I have an off-the-wall question, for a project I'm working on: did the japanese have any bronze or brass-barreled matchlocks? Thanks in advance, F

While looking at this thread I realized that I answered wrong here

Originally Posted by estcrh

Fearn, as far as I know all there were no brass/bronze tanegashima, but the Japanese did cast small brass/bronze cannon with were ignited by hand.

There are actually quite a few bronze barreled Japanese matchlock pistols. Below are two examples, one is basically a hand cannon with little decoration, the other is a smaller caliber with a highly decorated barrel.

[rickystl]

Hi Cerjak.

That is a nice looking carbine length Teppo. Congrats.
As far as the breech bolt removal, I was about to recommend Kroil oil. (best I've used). But I see you have already accomplised the removal. Great !!
What we normally associate with a breech plug is a shorter length plug with fine threads that tightens against the breech face of the barrel somewhat similar to a wheel lug of an automobile.
Rather, in the case of Teppo barrels, they use a bolt (better term in this case) with coarse threads, and longer length. The flat face of the bolt simply meets the breech flush. The bolt head is then held firm in the snug fitting hole in the stock. Actually, a clever design. While unusual, it does in fact work. I've never had an issue while firing mine.
Again. congrats. A nice piece.
Rick.

[rickystl]

While on this subject, this might be a good time to pose a question about these Teppo's that is still a mystery to me. That being the design of the front and rear sights. Especially the rear.

First the rear site: On the top there is a very thin slot with a partially drilled hole. On the side there is a hole that runs horizontal through the width of the sight. This one horizontal hole seems to be common on every Teppo I've seen.

Front sight: Again, a partially drilled vertical hole (like the rear sight) is present, along with a slot.

It seems that both sights were designed for some type of additional attachements. But I have no idea what it would be. Any ideas about this?

Here are pics of the rear sight:

[rickystl]

And here is the front sight:

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by rickystl

While on this subject, this might be a good time to pose a question about these Teppo's that is still a mystery to me. That being the design of the front and rear sights. Especially the rear.

First the rear site: On the top there is a very thin slot with a partially drilled hole. On the side there is a hole that runs horizontal through the width of the sight. This one horizontal hole seems to be common on every Teppo I've seen.

Front sight: Again, a partially drilled vertical hole (like the rear sight) is present, along with a slot.

It seems that both sights were designed for some type of additional attachements. But I have no idea what it would be. Any ideas about this?

Here are pics of the rear sight:

Rick, may people have pondered this question, obviously these sights were used in some why that we are just not understanding, probably due the the movable part of the sight being missing on most Japanese matchlock, all we see is the base.

You have to go back to the old samurai gun manuals that each individual school of gunnery kept, these were secret manuals meant to pass on the accumulated knowledge of each school to its students.

I have some images from these gun manuals on my Pinterest site, here is a link.

Japanese firearms illustrations through the Meiji period.


https://www.pinterest.com/worldantiq...gh-the-meiji-/

[estcrh]

Shigeo Sugawa has a web site both in English and Japanese which is well worth taking some time to browse through, he has info on all types of Japanese firearms and other weapons etc. Shigeo is the author of "The Japanese matchlock:The Story of the Tanegashima"

Below is the must complete glossary of Japanese matchlock terms that I know of.


http://www.xn--u9j370humdba539qcybpym.jp/

http://www.japaneseweapons.net/

[rickystl]

Hi Estcrh.

You are a wealth of information !! Thanks for the info. and Links. Most interesting.
It does in fact appear that at least the rear sight was designed to accomodate a variety of different pieces to adjust the elevation or otherwise change the sight picture. This makes more sense now.
I did measure the heighth of both front and rear sights on my barrel. And they are the same. What's interesting is the front sight on mine appears made to accept similar sight adjustment pieces, versus a fixed blade. Possibly to allow sight adjustment on either or both sights. (?) Curious.
But thanks again for the info. and Links. Most helpful and interesting reading.
Rick

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by rickystl

Hi Estcrh.

You are a wealth of information !! Thanks for the info. and Links. Most interesting.
It does in fact appear that at least the rear sight was designed to accomodate a variety of different pieces to adjust the elevation or otherwise change the sight picture. This makes more sense now.
I did measure the heighth of both front and rear sights on my barrel. And they are the same. What's interesting is the front sight on mine appears made to accept similar sight adjustment pieces, versus a fixed blade. Possibly to allow sight adjustment on either or both sights. (?) Curious.
But thanks again for the info. and Links. Most helpful and interesting reading.
Rick

Rick, here is another image of a movable sight installed on a matchlock, not sure if it is original, and an image of what seems to be an original sight from a Japanese matchlock book.