New made Tanegashima matchlocks?

[CanadianLanBoy]

Hello!

 

This is my first post to this forum, so if I'm breaking any conventions I apologize in advance. 

 

I was wondering if there was any manufacturer of Tanegashima today? Either craft or factory. I found a European dealer that sold reproductions a few years ago, but it's no longer listed on their site.

 

I find the Tanegashima really interesting, and I understand originals are available, but I am not a fan of wallhangers, and would like a Tanegashima I would be able to safely shoot and enjoy without risking a piece of history.

 

Appreciate any help!

[ChrisW]

Many tanegashima with proper care and maintenance are anything but wallhangers. Some of them are still used in demonstrations in Japan today. Of course, you would want it to be thoroughly inspected by a knowledgeable gunsmith first and you would use low-velocity powder.

 

I am not sure if there are very many modern makers though I believe there are a few.

[Bugyotsuji]

Agreeing with Chris here.

 

Noah, modern reproductions are not permitted in Japan, so you'd have to look at US sites on the net. In Japan real antique Tanegashima in reasonable condition are used for blank displays; some under stricter license conditions are fired at the target range with ball.

 

There are vidoes on the net of people firing real Tanegashima with musket ball, and indeed there are various world muzzle-loading associations who could probably help you. I have heard that even antique Tanegashima have a good reputation among these people for well-built sturdiness. With an antique, you'd need to source a reliable one, or get it checked out if unknown. Another avenue would be to rebore or sleeve a badly pitted bore.

 

There is a recent thread on this site somewhere where a guy (in France?) has built some wonderful mini working repros and will take commissions on order.

[CanadianLanBoy]

I see. I assumed Tanegashima had the same legal exceptions as Katana under Japanese law. I have sent emails to a few respected muzzleloader gunsmiths to see if I  can have one commissioned  Appreciate the help! 

[Bugyotsuji]

Tanegashima do have the same legal exceptions as historical katana under Japanese law, yes. You'll notice that the registration card is the same for both, with blade details top right or matchlock details bottom right. The left section for Mei and extra details and the margin notations are common to both.

 

The big difference that you might be thinking of is that katana continue to be made today, but Tanegashima manufacture in Japan stopped around the 1870s.

[redhugster]

On 2/28/2023 at 8:26 AM, Bugyotsuji said:

Agreeing with Chris here.

 

Noah, modern reproductions are not permitted in Japan, so you'd have to look at US sites on the net. In Japan real antique Tanegashima in reasonable condition are used for blank displays; some under stricter license conditions are fired at the target range with ball.

 

There are vidoes on the net of people firing real Tanegashima with musket ball, and indeed there are various world muzzle-loading associations who could probably help you. I have heard that even antique Tanegashima have a good reputation among these people for well-built sturdiness. With an antique, you'd need to source a reliable one, or get it checked out if unknown. Another avenue would be to rebore or sleeve a badly pitted bore.

 

There is a recent thread on this site somewhere where a guy (in France?) has built some wonderful mini working repros and will take commissions on order.

Hi all, Sorry a bit late into the conversation. I shoot an original Teppo in competition here in the UK. Most of us here shoot originals as they are well built and nicely proportioned. Below is my target from last weekends National competition at Wedgnock Ranges in Warwickshire. 50m Off Hand. This scores as a 91. Best Jon

[Shugyosha]

Nice shooting!

[Mark C]

Excellent shooting, Wish I could group like that at 25 yrds