Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout us
Log InCreate Account
Rock Island Auction CompanyRock Island Auction Company
Contact us
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
Locations
Bedford, TX
3600 Harwood RoadBedford, Texas 76021, USA
Rock Island, IL
7819 42nd Street WestRock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
Hours
Monday - Friday8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Navigation
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout usAccount
More Info
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyJob postings & CareersOrder a catalogContact
Social media
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
Disconnected
Unable to connect to live update server, attempting reconnection. If this persists, please try refreshing your browser.
Disconnected state indicated by at top of page. If you cannot see this icon, you are connected.
Rock Island Auction Company
Hello.
Please Log In, or .

Home
Auctions
Consignment
Latest
FAQ
About us

  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 1263

Lot 1263:Inlaid Japanese Snap Matchlock Tanegashima Arquebus

May 14th, 2022|Rock Island, IL
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 1263

Lot 1263:Inlaid Japanese Snap Matchlock Tanegashima Arquebus

May 14th, 2022|Rock Island, IL
Price Realized:
Login to viewLogin to view
Price obfuscated
Estimated Price$4,500 - $6,500
Log In to use Wishlists
Share

Very Ornate Inlaid Japanese Snap Matchlock Tanegashima Arquebus

While most matchlocks are very plain, this classic Japanese "tanegashima" has a lot of interesting design elements throughout. The smoothbore barrel has a flared section at the muzzle with silver ribs and a small blade front sight, raised ribs along the edges of the barrel flats, a grooved block rear sight, and a series of brass, silver, and copper inlays in the breech section in the shape of two fish (koi), trees, and water. The breech plates form a nice design with a samurai's mask and helmet (mempo/kabuto). The stock has floral bloom pin escutcheons along the forend, coordinating blooms on the rear section, a rabbit and smoke design on the plate on the heel/comb, bamboo on the bottom of the midsection, additional floral patterns, and a mon on the toe flat. It has previously been identified as signed "Sesshu ju Tsutaya Kihachiro saku (made by Tsutaya Kihachiro, Sesshu area)." The serpentine has been fitted with a steel striker possibly for use with pill primers. Ramrod absent.

ConditionVery good with period applied blue visible along the lightly pitted barrel, aged patina on the inlays and brass components, and relatively minor overall wear. The stock has an old coat of textured lacquer over most of its surfaces and is also very good and shows fairly minor wear mainly on the edges of the forend. Mechanically fine. Overall, a very attractive Japanese matchlock.
Details
ManufacturerJapanese
ModelMatchlock
TypeRifle
ClassAntique
Caliber / Gauge54
Barrel39 inch octagon
Finishblue/silver/copper/brass
Stockhardwood

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views3058
Catalog page194
Find MoreRelated Items
Lot 3317Ornate Engraved Japanese Tanegashima Matchlock Arquebus
View Lot
Lot 1255Chiseled, Inlaid and Engraved German Wheellock Youth Rifle
View Lot
Lot 3314Ornate Damascened and Engraved Wheellock Pistol
View Lot
Lot 1257Ornate European Wheellock Rifle
View Lot
Show More