Unknown firearm

[PHILGERS]

I need help identifying this weapon. I found it in an old French collection that I just bought. I have no idea about this 21 inch long pistol or rifle. The barrel is in bronze, (diameter 0.47 inches) and looks old. The firing system must be fuse. I think the weapon must be of Asian origin but I have not found any other weapon with a butt of this shape. If someone has an idea ...

[Will M]

It appears to be an older decorative piece. No place for a lock so it really cannot fire unless you hold a flame to the pan. The pan suggests flintlock.

[David R]

It's a type known as a touch-fire among other names, and they turn up all over the East as a simple low tech shooter. I will stick my neck out and say South East Asia, somewhere under Chinese influence. Nice item, one to enjoy.

[JBG163]

Chinese or vietnamese is a good guess. With the symbol, french history, and Mother of Pearl inlay, i would go toward Vietnam

[ausjulius]

Originally Posted by PHILGERS

I need help identifying this weapon. I found it in an old French collection that I just bought. I have no idea about this 21 inch long pistol or rifle. The barrel is in bronze, (diameter 0.47 inches) and looks old. The firing system must be fuse. I think the weapon must be of Asian origin but I have not found any other weapon with a butt of this shape. If someone has an idea ...

it is a vietnamese made firearm i belive.

[milandro]

touch-hole guns were primitive guns all over the world and came in all sizes in Asia (but existed in Europe too)

[milandro]

Originally Posted by PHILGERS

I need help identifying this weapon. I found it in an old French collection that I just bought. I have no idea about this 21 inch long pistol or rifle. The barrel is in bronze, (diameter 0.47 inches) and looks old. The firing system must be fuse. I think the weapon must be of Asian origin but I have not found any other weapon with a butt of this shape. If someone has an idea ...

at some point it may have had a simple ignition mechanism such as these Japanese weapons

[PHILGERS]

thank you all for your information. I think the stock heel is ivory

[PHILGERS]

Does anybody have an idea of the era of this gun?

[milandro]

Originally Posted by PHILGERS

Does anybody have an idea of the era of this gun?

I am not sure that one can affirm without any doubt that this is an ancient made weapon But hand cannons (which this is) are very old indeed , however their use extends to modern days too

"....Cannons are attested to in India starting from 1366.[33] The Joseon kingdom in Korea acquired knowledge of gunpowder from China by 1372[34] and started producing cannons by 1377.[35] In Southeast Asia Đại Việt soldiers were using hand cannons at the very latest by 1390 when they employed them in killing Champa king Che Bong Nga.[36] Chinese observer recorded the Javanese use of hand cannon for marriage ceremony in 1413 during Zheng He's voyage.[37][38] Japan was already aware of gunpowder warfare due to the Mongol invasions during the 13th century, but did not acquire a cannon until a monk took one back to Japan from China in 1510,[39] and firearms were not produced until 1543, when the Portuguese introduced matchlocks which were known as tanegashima to the Japanese.[40] The art of firing the hand cannon called Ōzutsu (大筒) has remained as a Ko-budō martial arts form.[41][42]..."
So, I would call this a small hand cannon
Some of these, In Japan, are contemporary made. I am not saying that your piece is, but It doesn't apart to be hundreds of years old.
Assuming it is a functional weapon (?) it may be a relatively old weapon or a more modern reproduction.

[fernando]

milandro, you know that forum rules are that images ought to be uploaded using forum attachment features. You should save your pictures in your disk and then attach them to threads.