I've read many books that mention the Japanese modifying the European matchlock to add a pan-cover that keeps the rain out of the powder, but I've never found any concrete description of exactly what form this modification took, and I can't figure it out for myself because as far as I know the pan covers of European matchlocks are already pretty adequate for keeping the rain (as well as stray sparks and embers) out of the priming pan. So, can anybody help me with this?

Piers D. over at the Nihonto Message Board might know. I've sent him a PM with a link to this thread. I'll post his comments if and when he has any to spare.

Hello everyone. Piers was kind enough to reply to my PM with the following:

Piers D. wrote:

Rain is a serious problem for the matchlock, and the Japanese soon applied their brains to reducing the disadvantages. Essentially the first line of defence is the pan cover (usually brass) which protects the primer from the wind and the rain, from spillage, and from accidental ignition. The Japanese matchlock has a cover that sandwiches the pan above and below for a tight fit and is swung open by the thumb on a little tab. Second problem is rain hitting the barrel and running down the sides, working its way under the pan lid. For this there is an upright brass partition on most Tanegashima type matchlocks called the ama-ooi that rechannels the rain to fall in front or behind the pan. A very special Japanese adaption was a little black lacquered paper box that sat balanced on a wire that stuck into the little hole in the head of the pan hinge pin! These covered the match lock mechanism completely and also functioned to hide the light of the burning match at night. They are extremely rare now and I've only ever seen one in a museum. Hoping this helps, Piers, 5th Dan Ancient Gunnery

Yes, that's very helpful. That brings up a new question, though--how common was the paper box when matchlocks were still used in war? Are they rare now because they were also rare back then, or just because they're made of degradable material? It also got me wondering about whether there are European hunting/sniping weapons that got similar modifications.

I wouldn't know myself. Japanese black lacquer is a pretty durable sealant; but in weather, and bonded to no more than paper, I should expect a large % would have degraded or been destroyed at some point. Of course, if Piers (who has a special interest in Japanese matchlocks) says he has only seen one in a museum, then I would consider it a fair bet that they were at least uncommon. [EDIT: Piers sent me the following PM:

Piers D. wrote:

The covers were only used in earnest up until the early 1600s, the seiges of Osaka Castle and the Shimabara Revolt, I should think. They were made in huge quantities, but being delicate, must have been difficult to look after in the heat of battle and with all the other equipment and especially annoying to carry in dry weather. Large quantities of such specialized equipment meant that they ended up having no residual value, I guess. Most ordinary people would have no use for them, and would not even know what they were for. I suspect they got trashed pretty quickly and few survived the intervening 400 years. I can post a picture of one from a book if you like. Shall I put it in my Edo Period Corner thread?

The thread he refers to is here: This Week's Edo Period Corner. I replied that of course it would be interesting to see a photo wherever he finds convenient to post it.]

Edit 2: Piers has posted some extended info at the thread above if you are interested.

For convenience's sake you may wish to register at the NMB and ask Piers any further questions directly (I have extended an invitation to him to join myArmoury, but naturally that would be at his discretion). I don't mind ferrying information in isolated instances but it will become a bit unwieldy to do for an extended thread.

Cheers, :)
GLL

Excellent pictures, excellent information. I feel enlightened. ;)