Waterproof Covers On Japanese Matchlocks?

[komi]

Hello all,

I was browsing a Google preview of the book Giving Up the Gun: Japan's Reversion to the Sword by Noel Perrin and saw an interesting illustration which showed Japanese troops using waterproof covers to protect the match cords on their guns from the elements. The caption said they were also used for hiding the glow of the burning match cord at night, and that these devices were invented in the 17th century and used up to the 19th (the illustration itself was from 1855 according to the author).

 

Unfortunately I don't have access to a full copy of the book so I don't know if he goes into more detail on those covers, and I'm having trouble finding more info in English.

 

I was wondering if anybody here knew more about the use of waterproof covers on Japanese matchlocks, e.g. what they were made from or any other details about their use?

 

I've attached a screenshot of the illustration from the Google preview.

 

Thanks.

 

 

[Viper6924]

One thing I know is that these covers are rare. I have included a picture from an old exihibition catalouge. To my knowledge this is one of only a very few still extant.

This one is made from metal but I know that I've seen another one which I belive was made from lacquered paper or leather.

 

Jan

[komi]

Interesting, thanks for sharing that. Do you have any idea what the time frame is for the item in your photo?

[Bugyotsuji]

I know that the man who wrote the modern Japanese book in which that top illustration appears recreated one which did the rounds. They are extremely rare, most having perished or been thrown away when their use and then purpose was forgotten. The one owned by a friend of mine here is seemingly made of stitched and lacquered paper or thin leather. There is a central pin internally for fitment. There are openings front and back through which you can take aim along the sights.

 

Although the metal slide between the pan and the barrel is called the Amaooi, these covers also had the same name. (Lit. Rain covering)

There used to be a thread on these here somewhere!

[komi]

Thanks for that info. Do you know the details on how that 'central pin' works to attach the cover? Without having seen one of those in person I'm just trying to visualize how it would have attached to the firearm.

[Brian]

Don't they usually fit in the hollow pin that secures the pan cover?

[Bugyotsuji]

Brian is correct. That is why most of the original pins have a central hole.

[komi]

Ah I'm sorry, I misunderstood you and thought that the waterproof cover had a separate pin that somehow fitted to the gun. Thanks for clarifying that.

[Bugyotsuji]

Well, it's like a mysterious vertical wire that is part of the cover structure, and when fitted over the gun the bottom end of the wire slots into the hollow top of the pan hinge pin.

[komi]

I see, thanks very much for explaining.