Teppô Identification

[Yamazakura Fr]

Hello

I just found this one

Total lenght 125,5 cm, barrel lenght 96 cm, caliber 5 mome (14,6 mm)

This was restored with some iron screws (modern)

The barrel has no decors or inlay, it present old rust attack, The mei has only 3 kanji but I can't translate this

The lock have no spring and present one iron screw but the other parts seem correct

What do you think ?

Can you identify the mei, the type (I think Sakai ?) and what old is it

Thank you for all

Regards

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Hi Fr, ( Frère Yamazakura)

 

The Mei has five characters, but you will need to gently remove some more of that rust to reveal the full name.

I can tell you that you are correct re Sakai/Settsu. The smith family were called Nakamizu 中水 and seven smiths with that name are listed. Sadly though none of them were in the habit of dating their guns. Probably first half of the 19th century. This gun is a good size calibre and fewer decorations mean more likely for military use.

[Yamazakura Fr]

Thank you for your answer

Effectively there are 5 kanji but the rust makes it very difficult to read the three last kanji (I think the last for Saku?).

Can you give me the mei of the 7 listed Nakamitzu gunsmiths to help me with these kanji

[Bugyotsuji]

Sure. Since all of these carved something like 摂州住 before their name, look under the barrel further up above the mekugi ana for any traces under the rust.

 

(Ask Ian Bottomley for his magic rust treatment.)