'Finger Protector' for heavy caliber Tanegashimas?

[Flint62Smoothie]

Gents:

 

Guessing as to what the purpose is - as a collector/shooter of the early arms - would this feature serve to protect the fingers of the firing hand from being broken on the heavier caliber arms? (FYI, my shootable BP collection includes cheek-fired and chest-fired Snap Matchlocks and Petronels (fired when held in front of the chest).

 

 

 

Photo credits - 

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Dale, these are called Namako-gané, which is ‘sea-cucumber metal fitment’.

 

There are several varieties of these. One I saw had a hollow (like yours?) that the trigger pulled back into. From what I understand they were a stopper, to protect the trigger when dropped or against accidental firing. They actually look good, I reckon, and do give a more comfortable  grip for the other fingers. I have never been totally convinced though. I’ll check my sources once more!

[Bugyotsuji]

https://ameblo.jp/toudou455/entry-12527870806.html

 

This is a discussion of its possible functions. The writer has searched high and low but says he cannot find anything written as to the definitive use of ナマコ金 Namako-gane, other than that it was a feature of Ogino-Ryu (school of gunnery) guns, and later copied by others. The alternative word he notes is 力金 Riki/Chikara-gane, which could indicate a firmer grip obtained with your other fingers against it, in contrast to and to help the trigger finger aim safely and accurately. (He also repeats what I covered in my previous post.)

[Bugyotsuji]

This one is on a 20 Monme 'heavy caliber' ōzutsu from Kishū (Wakayama).

 

[Bugyotsuji]

PS In your original post, Dale, you suggested that the function might be to protect the (other) fingers against kick with a large caliber gun. I like the thinking, and as a shooter I can see what you mean there.

[Flint62Smoothie]

Yes, Piers ... using the principle of Occam's Razor and only seeing them on the heavier caliber arms leads me - as a shooter - to that conclusion. Even Samual W. Beach can see that function.

 

Here is how it is held in place:

 

[Bugyotsuji]

I am glad you found the link useful. 

 

SWB?

 

[Bugyotsuji]

https://kojodan.jp/castle/82/memo/1884.html

 

In 2005, to mark the opening of the newly-built Bitchu Yagura corner tower at Tsuyama Castle, we were invited to dress in full bushi armo(u)r and fire broadsides over the city from the remaining castle walls. The finale in front of the assembled suited and seated dignitaries was for our leader to fire the 100-Monme hand cannon.

 

We were not sure what would happen as it hadn't been fired for centuries, and I now suspect that he had added extra blackpowder in order to impress.

 

Well, when the thing went off with a sizzle, a whoosh and a BOOM!!!.... it blew the wigs off the dignitaries, and they swallowed their dentures.

 

Afterwards I noticed that he had a bleeding hand. Despite binding his left hand to the stock, the Ozutsu had kicked back, the pan/lid tearing open a gash on his right thumb.