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Lafayette C Curtis
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 Posted: Sat 05 Jul, 2008 8:21 am Post subject: Japanese matchlock pan-covers |
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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?
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Lin Robinson
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| Posted: Sat 05 Jul, 2008 9:46 am Post subject: Re: Japanese matchlock pan-covers |
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| Lafayette C Curtis wrote: | | 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? |
Take a look at www.japaneseguns.com. This is a site offering antiques and has some very good closeup photos, although I did not see one that showed any pan covers in detail.
The pan covers on most of these guns do not appear to be any different from those on European match locks. LIke you, I cannot imagine how pan covers on matchlocks could be modified to make them any more efficient. As long as they stay closed when needed, keep the rain out and can be opened easily to fire the gun, what's to modify?
Lin Robinson
"The best thing in life is to crush your enemies, see them driven before you and hear the lamentation of their women." Conan the Barbarian, 1982
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Gabriel Lebec
myArmoury Team
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| Posted: Sat 05 Jul, 2008 1:37 pm Post subject: |
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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.
"The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science." - Albert Einstein
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Jean Thibodeau
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| Posted: Sat 05 Jul, 2008 10:40 pm Post subject: Re: Japanese matchlock pan-covers |
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| Lin Robinson wrote: | [
Like you, I cannot imagine how pan covers on matchlocks could be modified to make them any more efficient. As long as they stay closed when needed, keep the rain out and can be opened easily to fire the gun, what's to modify? |
The only thing I can think of is a pan cover that, as with most wheelocks, is retracted automatically as the dog holding the match is actuated by pressing the trigger or lever to fire the matchlock.
Most matchlocks covers seem to be manually operated just before one fires the weapon: This might be a problem on a wet or very windy day for the priming powder. An automatic cover would expose the powder for a much shorter amount of time.
You can easily give up your freedom. You have to fight hard to get it back!
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Gabriel Lebec
myArmoury Team
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| Posted: Sun 06 Jul, 2008 8:26 am Post subject: |
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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 |
"The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science." - Albert Einstein
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Lafayette C Curtis
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| Posted: Thu 10 Jul, 2008 11:41 pm Post subject: |
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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.
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Gabriel Lebec
myArmoury Team
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| Posted: Fri 11 Jul, 2008 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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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
"The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science." - Albert Einstein
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Lafayette C Curtis
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| Posted: Fri 18 Jul, 2008 2:08 am Post subject: |
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Excellent pictures, excellent information. I feel enlightened. 
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