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LOT 3361 Elaborate Gold and Silver Inlaid Japanese Matchlock Pistol - NSN, 53 cal., 6 1/2 inch octagon bbl., silver finish, walnut grips. Exact date of production is unknown, but the prominence of the “hollyhock” mon of the Tokugawa Shogunate on both metal and wood suggests it was made during the 1600-1868 timeframe of the Shogunate’s dominance of Japanese affairs. Post front and groove rear sights, with the cannon muzzle finished in hammered silver and engraved through the silver in key spiral patterns, and the main section showing a gold and silver inlaid dragon in flight amongst silver clouds, three lines of gold Japanese text on the top flats, and a gold Tokugawa mon immediately ahead of the rear sight. The brass lock work is also silver finished, with internal spring and sear, a round knob trigger and a hinged pan cover. Smooth hardwood stock with brass furniture, a hardwood ramrod and a set of 5 gold painted Tokugawa mons, two on either side of the forearm and the largest atop the wrist. CONDITION: Very fine as partially restored. The barrel shows 95% original silver on the muzzle, with the main body shows traces of deeply aged silver in the protected areas, with a dark brass patina on the exposed areas and very strong and attractive inlays. 30% original silver remains on the lock work, strongest on the flash pan, with a mixed patina on the brass. Stock is fine as refinished, with a mended crack on the right side of the forearm, light pressure dents, and most of the professionally restored gold lacquer, most wear happening on the high points of the wrist. Match arm is slightly loose and slips the sear, otherwise mechanically fine. Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000 LOT 3362 Elaborate Japanese Matchlock Musket - NSN, 75 bore cal., 24 5/8 inch bbl., bright finish, lacquered wood stock. This early nineteenth century Japanese matchlock hand cannon has a elaborately inlaid barrel and inlaid stock. The smooth bore barrel has a flat top and flared cannon muzzle. The front and rear sights are integral with the barrel. The top of the barrel is engraved at the breech with three Japanese characters and a stylized, gold washed Tokugawa mon. The barrel is engraved with a detailed dragon and floral designs between the muzzle and the rear sight. The lacquered wooden stock is pinned to the barrel and has a flat rest behind the muzzle. Three stylized Tokugawa mon are painted in gold on either side of the stock. The lock plate, hinged pan cover, trigger and rear barrel band are brass. The serpentine is iron and engraved with floral designs. CONDITION: Very good. The barrel has an even gray-brown patina with traces of the original gold wash on the Tokugawa mon and dragon engravings. The delicate engraving on the barrel is sharp. The serpentine and the pan have moderate to heavy flash pitting and the pan cover shows moderate firing wear. One of the stock pins is missing and the barrel is loose. The partially refinished stock retains most of the lacquer finish and half of the faded gold paint remaining on the Tokugawa mon. The delicate lacquer finish has a number of minor chips and has some edge wear on high points. There is a spliced in repair visible on the top rear tang and a repaired crack visible in the bottom of the stock. The brass lock plate, pan cover and stock furniture have an attractive age patina. Some of the lock components are missing and the serpentine does not snap forward when the trigger is engaged. This is a very attractive example of a high quality Japanese matchlock hand cannon. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 3363
Russo-Japanese Sword with Kyu-Gunto and Shirasaya Pattern Furniture and Exceptional Blade - Also known as the “Russo-Japanese Sword” due to its use in that conflict, the kyu-gunto shows a blending
of European and Japanese sword features. While many kyu-gunto were outfitted with mass produced machine made blades, a limited number can be found with traditional blades, including antique and ancestral blades re-mounted to pass Army muster. Overall length is 36 inches overall, with a 26 1/4 inch blade with a nearly straight hamon and well developed grain, set in a striped and silver plated copper habaki and an elongated hilt with European style pierced through “D” handguard, cherry blossom themed decoration, wire wrapped rayskin grip and a nickel finished scabbard. A silver mon, unidentified, is mounted on the back of the hilt. The tang has turned nearly black in color, with two mekugi-ana and a signature on the right side; the signature has not been translated, but the aging of the tang would be appropriate to an antique blade. Additional hand markings can be seen on some of the hilt fittings. In addition to the kyu-gunto hardware, a set of shirasaya mounts and a finely embroidered cloth wrap are included. CONDITION: The blade is excellent, with minimal handling marks, attractive color and strong hamon. A spacer appears to be absent from the hilt, which is otherwise fine with some light handling marks, and the saya shows mild flaking and spotting on the finish. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 3364 Signed Gunto-Pattern Japanese Sword - Measuring 37 inches in overall length, the blade is 26 1/4 inches long with a wavy hamon, active grain and a silver washed copper habaki. Fitted with a round iron tsuba, nickel plated furniture, cherry blossom themed menuki, and tan cord wrap over black painted rayskin. One mekugi-ana is present in the tang, and a six-figure signature on the left side; no arsenal/showa stamps visible. With a textured black saya fitted to match the hilt. CONDITION: Fine. The exceptionally fine blade shows some minor spotting and handling on the exterior, with well defined hamon and attractive grain. The tang shows an uncleaned, brown color suggestive of 19th or very early 20th century production. The hilt and saya show mild wear, with some loose fittings and mild scuffs and flaking. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
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