A 28 BORE JAPANESE SNAP-MATCHLOCK MUSKET (TANEGASHIMA, TEPPO OR HINAWAJU), EDO PERIOD, 19TH CENTURY

with tapering sighted iron barrel formed with a vase-shaped muzzle, inlaid in silver with traditional motifs including a dragon amidst flames over the breech, block-shaped back-sight, integral pan with brass pivot-cover, brass action engraved with a flower and with pronounced writhen border, lacquered full stock with some gilt scrollwork decoration (losses), applied with engraved iron plaques including a kabuto behind the breech, bamboo foliage over the trigger-plate and a mounted warrior on the right of the butt, brass trigger and brass trigger-guard (ramrod missing), 99.5 cm barrel