Small Ozutsu

[Tengu1957]

O Zutsu
a small 66 cm long matchlock that has 40 mm bore so it's 100 Monnme 
Not completely sure what to say about this one because it's a bit of a strange shape. There is a silver Mon on the barrel and repeated on the stock twice on the side. The site has a decoration of Shakudo and the handle is decorated in brass. The shape almost reminds me of a Blunderbuss. It must have had a massive recoil when fired. 

Many thanks to Nick Ricupero at Nihontoart.com for selling it to me.

[Bugyotsuji]

Hi Gary. Certainly unusual! Is 66cm the barrel, or total length? I like the Ishikawa Sasa-Lindo kamon.

 

One thing that does puzzle me is the usage of both, the mon alone, and the mon in a circle, which usually indicate related but different familes. I know this particularly because while I have a 15 Monme gun with Maru ni sasalindo mon, and this has subsequently collected other artefacts to go with it, including a jingasa and a jimbaori, an acquaintance pointed out the inconsistency among them.

 

PS I am not saying they are wrong. I get quite a good feeling from the brass one behind the barrel at the top of the butt.

[Tengu1957]

66 cm total length 

[Bugyotsuji]

Thanks Gary, I guess you haven't weighed her it.

[Tengu1957]

Sorry , forgot to list it. 4.62 kilos 

[Bugyotsuji]

Thanks. Quite light! Is there anything written on the stock or barrel anywhere?

[Tengu1957]

No , no signature. I have seen other guns of this size and weight with conventual barrel shapes. 

[Bugyotsuji]

So light, it’s quite amazing. It is said that some guns were for firing iron pellets, rusty nails, etc, like a blunderbuss. I am sure you will quickly grow tired of it, so please allow me to volunteer to take it off your hands for you.

[Tengu1957]

Piers , thank you for the information, Is there a specific term for this type of gun ? It does seem likely it was for firing iron pellets like a blunderbuss , I wonder in what situations this type of gun was intended for ?  Its too bad your so far away or it would be nice to have you go through my matchlocks and teach me a few things , most have not been posted here.