Japanese matchlock miniature
 

Just want to show you my last acquisition, a very nice miniature of a Japanese matchlock pistol, a socalled tappo. Total length is 70mm, the barrel is of iron with an old patina and the wooden stock has a brass lock and is decorated with 10 brass elements. The pan cover can be opened, the hammer is movable but unfortunately the trigger is missing.
Regards
corrado26

Hi Corrado.

How cute !!! That is the best looking miniture I've seen. Actually looks old. Especially the stock. I like it !! I've read that these minitures were originally used to designate rank versus any practical use. Don't know if this is true.
Congratulations. Looks like the missing trigger was possible a "ball" style.

Rick

These miniature matchlocks were made & used as netsuke, very nice. congratulations, nice find.
Jerry

interesting minatue guns are quite neat.

.. ive seen little miniature pistols on the sword belts in the caucasus although all solid metal (silver) and non-functioning. which seemed such an out of place decoration.

ive also seen 19th centuary chinese minatures but these seem to all be just tourist items for sale to traders in Bangkok.. still some are quite nice little guns and swords. shaprened folded steel blades ect.


i wounder what other cultures produced miniatures of weapons either functioning or non functioning.