MATCHLOCK GUN FROM ASIA FOR ID

Peter Dekker · 15th January 2012, 10:15 PM

These matchlocks are Chinese, I would guess the probably date to the late 18th to early 19th century. I'm sure Philip Tom could tell you more about them.

The character on the top example is zuo meaning "left", indicating that it was a military piece used in the left wing of an army. I also have an example from a left wing, that has the addition of a serial number as well.

The gourd carved into the stock of this one might also be a unit marker, though it needs mention that a gourd is also a luck symbol in China to which various auspicious meanings are attributed.

Very interesting find! Are they yours?

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15th January 2012, 10:15 PM	#2
Peter Dekker Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kingdom of the Netherlands Posts: 64	These matchlocks are Chinese, I would guess the probably date to the late 18th to early 19th century. I'm sure Philip Tom could tell you more about them. The character on the top example is zuo meaning "left", indicating that it was a military piece used in the left wing of an army. I also have an example from a left wing, that has the addition of a serial number as well. The gourd carved into the stock of this one might also be a unit marker, though it needs mention that a gourd is also a luck symbol in China to which various auspicious meanings are attributed. Very interesting find! Are they yours?