Japanese antique gun matchlock Tanegashima Teppo Edo/Meiji period signed

Description

DESCRIPTION:
Japanese antique rare matchlock/percussion gun -
TANEGASHIMA - Hinawaju
from late
EDO PERIOD to Meiji period.
(1800-1867).
This Japanese matchlock is rare piece of military weapon
and not many are available now.
This one has been converted to Percussion gun probably in late Edo or early Meiji era.
The
matchlock gun
is a historical piece of weapon that is using the gunpowder to ignite a burning or flammable cord.
This matchlock conversion to percussion cup system was an advancement in military weapon.
It did make difference in the era of using guns in feudal Japan and Meiji era.
The percussion cap or caplock was introduced in early 1820s, it's a type of single use percussion ignition device, It is working well in any weather conditions, compared to matchlock that had trouble in wet conditions.
The
percussion lock
system used percussion caps that struck hammer to set off gunpowder charge in a so called nipple (cone) that was in the very end part of the gun barrel.
This matchlock (percussion conversion) rifle has a beautiful tiger stripe wood made stock.
It has also very nice decorative silver cherry blossom motives.
On the bottom of the stock there's a silver gingko leaf.
The long rifle barrel has signature on the bottom.
SIgnature says: "Do-shu ju Yoshioka Toshimasa".
It is from Tosa, Shikoku area made.
(Thank you to Piers D. for translation help).
This gun was made originally in the late Edo period and possibly converted to percussion rifle or it's possible it was original percussion rifle made in the Bakumatsu era.
Please, see pictures.
IT IS A VERY ANTIQUE WEAPON AND WOULD BE GREAT ADDITION FOR ANY COLLECTOR.
SIZE:
The total length of the rifle is 115cm, the barrel is 89cm.
Weight: about  1900 gr
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
PLEASE, DO NOT BID UNLESS YOU INTEND TO MAKE YOUR PAYMENT AFTER THE END OF AUCTION.
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO HOLD THE ITEM FOR UP TO 10 DAYS UNTIL THE PAYMENT CLEARS.
SHIPPING:
We ship worldwide via CANADA POST. Please, calculate your shipping below.
If unavailable, contact us for a shipping quote estimate.
<div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://ti2.auctiva.com/sw/java.gif" border="0"><br><table align="center"><tr><td><a style="text-decoration:none" href="http://emporium.auctiva.com/samurai7202" target="_blank"><img src="http://ti2.auctiva.com/sw/browse1.gif" border="0"></a></td><td height="23px" valign="middle" align="center"><font face="arial" size="2"><b><a href="http://emporium.auctiva.com/samurai7202" target="_blank">samurai7202</a> Store</b></font></td></tr></table></div>
<img src="http://ti2.auctiva.com/web/aswCredit.gif" border="0"><br><a href="http://www.auctiva.com/?how=scLnk0" target="_blank"><img src="http://ti2.auctiva.com/images/sc1line0.gif" border="0"></a>
<div style="text-align:center"><a style="text-decoration:none" href="http://mostpopular.sellathon.com/?id=AC1073750"><img src="http://www.sellathon.com/Resources/Images/countercredit.gif" border="0"></a></div>