Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentBlogFAQNewsAbout Us
Create Account
Login
AuctionsConsignmentBlogFAQNews & EventsAbout Us
Login
Create Account

History Lives Here

Rock Island Auction Company
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
RIAC Rock Island
7819 42nd Street West
Rock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
RIAC Bedford
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, Texas 76021, USA
8:00am - 5:00pm, Mon - Fri
Navigation
  • Auctions
  • Consignment
  • Blog
  • FAQ
  • News
  • About Us
More Info
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Job Postings & Careers
  • Contact
  • Order a Catalog
© 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.
  • Auction Catalog #85
  • Lot #1263
Lot #1262
Lot #1264

Lot 1263: Inlaid Japanese Snap Matchlock Tanegashima Arquebus

Very Ornate Inlaid Japanese Snap Matchlock Tanegashima Arquebus

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: May 14, 2022

Lot 1263: Inlaid Japanese Snap Matchlock Tanegashima Arquebus

Very Ornate Inlaid Japanese Snap Matchlock Tanegashima Arquebus

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: May 14, 2022

Estimated Price: $4,500 - $6,500
Price Realized:
Login to view
Login to view

Very Ornate Inlaid Japanese Snap Matchlock Tanegashima Arquebus

Manufacturer: Japanese
Model: Matchlock
Type: Rifle
Gauge: 54
Barrel: 39 inch octagon
Finish: blue/silver/copper/brass
Grip:
Stock: hardwood
Item Views: 2903
Item Interest: Average
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 194
Class: Antique
Description:

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.

Rating Definition:

Very 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.



Customer Product Questions

There are currently no customer product questions on this lot

    Related Items

    Lot #190: Ornate European Flintlock Pistol

    Lot #690: Ornate European Flintlock Pistol

    Lot #756: Japanese Nagoya Arsenal Type 99 Bolt Action Rifle

    Lot #1168: Ornate Engraved Flintlock Holster Pistol

    Lot #1171: Gold Inlaid Percussion "Feldstutzer" Rifle by Diem in Mannheim

    Lot #676: Ornate European Flintlock Pistol