Japanese Matchlock Myths

[Rudyard]

Whatever the complexities of matchlock shooting & I think its more mind set thing .I think its worth the effort once you look beyound the novelty theres a lot going for them. The common lock 12 bore I made years ago was used at gatherings like' Game Fairs ' at Chatsworth House where it was quite as good as any muzzle loader happily breaking clays even' Driven' over the belt'. clays .Locally I have hunted days at a time with a rifled snap matchlock (The Japoneese ones are basicaly snap matchlock ) there are many varients. just think you wont have to worry over cap & flint shortages ever again! While I mention rifled ones I doubt there where that many made but I just added an extra rifled barrel to a gun that had the more normal smooth bore But mostly because NZ regulations request a rifled gun for Deer hunting in state forests .At 55 yards you need possibles to be in the medals at MLAIC Internation's so the smooth bore are capable thats like 13 dead rabbits. I won a gold at Bisley MLAGB Short range comps one year 40 cal smooth Snap M lock . The gun will do it its the operator that adds thier bit based on great skill & pure fluke ! ( N B No rabbits where used in this account .)
Rudyards three hape ence

 

[rickystl]

One thing to be cautious about while shooting a Tanagashima (at least the originals). In the cocked position, the match cord in the serpentine still sits very close to the pan. It's best not to open the pan cover until the gun is positioned on the cheek and the gun pointed safely down range. Otherwise, there is a chance the gun goes off when you don't expect it. Don't have to ask me how I know this. LOL

Rick

 

[Rudyard]

One thing to be cautious about while shooting a Tanagashima (at least the originals). In the cocked position, the match cord in the serpentine still sits very close to the pan. It's best not to open the pan cover until the gun is positioned on the cheek and the gun pointed safely down range. Otherwise, there is a chance the gun goes off when you don't expect it. Don't have to ask me how I know this. LOL

Rick

OK we wont ask you ! Reminds me of me working on a Derbyshire farm roof one Saturday morning My pushbike against the farm wall & one of the crew ( we where property repairer's ) was looking at my powder flask he was a habitual smoker so he's looking down at my flask pushing open the shutter & says " Hows this work ? "*** directly over the nozzle !! .I explained "vigorously" er like you would . I was only a lad and theyle all be dead now but at least my flask didn't hasten his leaving us .
Recollecting Rudyard

 

[Canute Rex]

Just acquired a Tanegashima at a Rock Island Auction. May 19.

Can anyone help me with getting a matchcord? Buy? or Make?

I have bought the purple matchcord from Tanner molds and it works well. Here's a whole thread on matchcord making:

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/preparing-matchlock-rope.190347/

I was buying braided hemp from R&W rope and bucking it myself, but the Tanner match from Japan is actually cheaper per foot than the untreated hemp.

 

[Rudyard]

I have bought the purple matchcord from Tanner molds and it works well. Here's a whole thread on matchcord making:

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/preparing-matchlock-rope.190347/

I was buying braided hemp from R&W rope and bucking it myself, but the Tanner match from Japan is actually cheaper per foot than the untreated hemp.

I didn't think Tanners got match cord from Japan, Good moulds good match cord . I was once at a MLAGB Shoot (MLAIC )International event it was raining but the bit of Japanese match cord was still glowing away if there was a few trees at the 55 yards' Bisley' Short Siberia' Range, OH & match Matchlocks are all their allowed so one MLAIC Match at Quantico the usual gong & pot hunters Germany & the USA who get the best kit & backing it got a bit' oh hum but the Japanese's won that event & there was spontaneous roar from the teams & spectator's I didn't shoot just went to see my shotguns used by the Shefield branch team .I wandered West & got to phone Bill Large who asked" Was I going to the Eastern R' ous in Shawnee State Forest ? " 'Crab' was Booshway & the' Tomahawks' his staff .I was a NMLRA member but no togs but '.The Colonel'&' Munchkin' lent me a Capote so I got the' Feast' bit . My first Eastern R Vous .1982 or there abouts maybe .Did same site with' Troll' as Boushway but I had' primitive' togs that one & a flint rifle a' New Zealand Poor boy' best describes it I .might be getting old but still a good memory . Reminiscing Rudyard