Tanegashima 'Quiz1' Time ... What is the purpose of this hole?

[Flint62Smoothie]

I know ... do you?

 

 

[Bazza]

YES!!

 

BaZZa.

[Flint62Smoothie]

Let’s see who else does … as I have a few educational quizzes lined up.

[Hokke]

Im curious why anyone would need a small hole, poorly positioned as it is, for the sole purpose of extinguishing a match? Was there a time of an emphysema plague that I am unaware of? Seriously, I know that sounded sarcastic, but it's a genuine curiosity. Is it possible this hole had yet another use that has been lost in time? If that is the sole purpose, it seems far more useful to place it in front of the hand rather than behind it.

[Bazza]

If I understand what's going on here, the 'small hole' and the 'match extinguishing' hole are unrelated...  The small hole has a definite purpose.

 

BaZZa.

Edited March 10 by Bazza
amendment

[Hokke]

Yes, I should have used the term used in the picture. I am speaking specifically to the "blind hole". Extinguishing a match just seems weird of a design. Hopefully the use of the smaller hole is more clever or utilitarian. 

[Flint62Smoothie]

You pull out the lock pins from the lock plate side. Then you would push the smaller of the pins (in diameter, if one was smaller) into that hole to push OUT the rear of the lock plate.

 

That tips it out of the inlet that it is set into, from where the forward-most end is 'trapped' under the brass barrel band.
 

Clever, if not ingenious!

[Bazza]

Yes indeedy.  Disassembling my first teppou (I have 6) I came across the problem of how to get the lock out.  Then just 'looking over' the area saw the blind hole and thought 'Voila'.  Brilliantly simples...

('simples' as per an advertisement on local TV!)

 

BaZZa.

[Bugyotsuji]

When we say 'match', we are discussing the burning cord. When you cease firing, you grab the cord, lower your gun, flip it sideways to expose the left side of the butt, and there you have a firm surface with hollow, into which you can push your cord, instantly smothering the burning end, like extinguishing a cigarette. It works fine, and I use mine regularly.

[Flint62Smoothie]

1 hour ago, Bugyotsuji said:

When we say 'match', we are discussing the burning cord. When you cease firing, you grab the cord, lower your gun, flip it sideways to expose the left side of the butt, and there you have a firm surface with hollow, into which you can push your cord, instantly smothering the burning end, like extinguishing a cigarette. It works fine, and I use mine regularly.

 

Yes that’s great, and very true, however that is NOT the hole or feature that I was quizzing people about …

[Bugyotsuji]

Yes, the push-through feature is neat, I agree.

[Hokke]

2 hours ago, Bugyotsuji said:

When we say 'match', we are discussing the burning cord. When you cease firing, you grab the cord, lower your gun, flip it sideways to expose the left side of the butt, and there you have a firm surface with hollow, into which you can push your cord, instantly smothering the burning end, like extinguishing a cigarette. It works fine, and I use mine regularly.

 

Appreciate it Piers, that brings everything together nicely. I was not paying proper attention to time period nor alternate terminology. Can you tell I know very little to nothing about antique firearms? Now I know a bit more, thanks.

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Incidentally the 'adjustment' knock-through hole that is the subject of this thread does not appear on every matchlock. There are several neat regional and Ryu-ha school variations among Japanese Tanegashima.