The heavyweight barrel was constructed with a swamped octagonal muzzle (front sight absent) and a flat-topped main body which tapers down towards the muzzle, with extensive silver inlay. Positioned behind the rear sight is a 1 1/2 inch diameter family mon, depicting three tomoe (comma shapes) inside a circle; a prominent symbol in Shinto, the tomoe can be seen in numerous forms and configurations on royal Japanese family mons, as well as in Korea, China, and other locations. The upper 7/8ths of the barrel is decorated with a treetop scene featuring smaller birds and butterflies, a large and prominent ho-o bird, and the branches of a growth of bamboo, all made from a combination of darkened niello silver and traditional silver; the ho-o (also known as the fenghuang) was a prominent symbol of royalty in China and Japan, particularly Empresses, and the arrangement of leaves and flowers on the branches evokes the symbol of the Minamoto Clan, which traces it's lineage to the descendants of Japanese Emperors who were not in line for inheritance of the throne. The breech section, divided from the larger scene and mon with a lightning bolt shaped silver line, shows an ocean scene, with a jellyfish and other sea life. No documentation is available for this matchlock, but the high quality of the decoration and the prominent allegorical references to high-level Japanese nobility suggest a presentation or tribute piece. The mechanism is built around a brass lock plate, with an iron match arm, brass touchhole cover and flash shield, and a small brass firing stud produced without a guard. The stock is of traditional style and construction, with a series of brass cherry blossom pin escutcheons, a part-octagon profile in the gripped portion of the forearm, a carved 5-pointed star and a small 2-symbol signature on the left side behind the stock band, and a narrow brass heel plate.

Fine overall. The barrel shows a well aged brown patina, with a few areas of gray patina and scattered mild spotting. The silver has been lightly cleaned, showing a mixture of bright color, a near-black antique patina, and some minimal flaking and loss, with a few dings. The brass components show a deep patina, with a lighter mustard color on the high points, bearing surfaces and areas of hand contact. The stock is also fine, with a scuff behind the lock plate, an absent pin in the forearm, one brass leaf absent from one of the buttstock escutcheons, and some mild dings and handling marks overall. Mechanically fine.