Tanegashima Shumei

[wakiboy]

Gentlemen 

A friend recently acquired a Tanegashima with shumei on the underside, can anyone please help with a translation, the picture is not the best but I think you can see it all,

Thank you 

Ian

 

 

 

[wakiboy]

Sorry but this is the only picture he has sent me 😱

[Bugyotsuji]

Can we make out 御

一 … 弐匁九分

2 monmé 9 bu? 
The gun looks interesting! But one fuzzy photo with no other information is a hard ask! 

[wakiboy]

Hi Piers

Thanks for the reply, I’m hoping to get more photos when he gets it, I’ve never seen shumei on a gun before and I’m curious as to what it says/means.

Ian

[k morita]

Hi,

 

御一番弐匁九分　(No,1    2-monme 9-bu).

[Bugyotsuji]

Thank you, Morita San. 

So, the way it is written suggests politely that this is the first gun in a series, with a very precise bore size measurement of just under 3 monmé, about 1.2 cm.

We sometimes hear of ‘5 bu’ for half a monmé, or ‘3 bu’, but this is the first time I have seen ‘9 bu’.

 

The fancy lockwork looks like Namban or Tanegashima Ryū with strong influence from S.E.Asia. The 1/4 cut '(?) woodwork has some lovely reflective facets in it.

[wakiboy]

Gentlemen some more pics 

Ian

[wakiboy]

[uwe]

The markings on the shaft are a registration number: 

 

“免  壬申 一七四八  号” (Jinshin 1748 no. / Jinshin is the zodiac sign of 1872)

 

It indicates the first post Edo registration of guns above a certain caliber, that took place in Meiji 5 = 1872. 
Usually a prefecture name was also mentioned, but I can’t see in your example….

[Bugyotsuji]

Peek shots look good so far. An overall shot would be nice.

 

Also important are the inside of the pan, the bisen breech screw, and the Mei if there is one under the barrel.

Is the barrel held in place with rings or with mekugi pins? Zogan decorations on the barrel are very nice but just extras, i.e. not essential.

[wakiboy]

Piers

I’m hoping to visit and see the gun for myself next week and will hopefully get more pictures, and see if it is signed.

Ian

[wakiboy]

Back with some more pics. Hope these help

ian 

[tbonesullivan]

Oh wow! That's definitely a nice one. I also was not aware until this point that Tanegashima muskets had signatures on the bottom of the barrel. Guess I'll have to pull the barrel next time one comes across my desk.

[wakiboy]

Hi David 

I’ve never had one myself and had no interest until a friend got this one and to be honest I’m surprised by how well it’s made and the quality of the barrel, I hope one comes your way soon 🤞

Ian

[Bugyotsuji]

摂州住榎並屋三十郎

Sesshū Jū Enamiya Sanjūrō

 

Funky writing! One of the roughly 200 Edo Period gunsmiths from the famous Osaka House of Enami(ya).

This example definitely has extra design features, probably a special order.

[wakiboy]

Thank you Piers

I couldn’t make head nor tail of the Mei, the whole thing is very ornate compared to others I’ve seen.

Thanks again 🙏👍

Ian