Japanese Percussion Rifle

[Ed Hicks]

Japanese Percussion Rifle with nice decoration including inlaid trigger guard and side plate.

[Bugyotsuji]

Nice example of a Choshu gun from Bakumatsu.

[Brian]

Converted from matchlock or original percussion Piers?

[Bugyotsuji]

Not a "rifle" I would guess.

 

Looks like an original percussion, Brian. No cutaway in the stock where a long pan and lid would have been.

[Ed Hicks]

Percussion musket is a more accurate description, of course, since this is a smooth bore firearm.I believe this to be in its original configuration without alterations. Ed

[Bugyotsuji]

Also, it would be interesting to see the Mei if there is one. Many Choshu guns were ordered from Bizen, where locks were generally made of iron.

[Ed Hicks]

I started to remove the barrel to check for a signature, but it's too tight to remove safely. The stock is fairly thin and not exactly robust after all these years sitting.

[Bugyotsuji]

Better safe than sorry, Ed, I agree. Once your stock splits, and most do to some extent, there will always be a glue line from then on!