Japanese Tanegashima Matchlock with Powderflasks and Portfolio with Provenance Related to US Army 2nd Lt. Ralph M. Setser

About .45 caliber. 39" octagonal barrel length with flared muzzle. SN: NSN. Blued metal finish with brass lock and triggerguard. Hardwood stock has a plain grip and forearm. Matchlock tanegashima with notch and blade sights. The comb has a brass fitting engraved with wind patterns and a rabbit. Bottom edges of butt and forearm show brass fittings engraved with wind details. There are two brass chrysanthemums fitted to faces of buttstock. Upper tang is brass engraved with a samurai grotesque. Forearm has silver chrysanthemums fixed to both sides, as well as silver cranes and trees to barrel behind rear sight.

Included with item are three Edo-period kayaku-ire (powderflasks) and a portfolio of documents related to United States Army 2nd lieutenant Ralph M. Setser. According to enclosed information, Setser supervised and created drafts for converting rail car stock into US military passenger/commercial transport in Nagasaki following Japan's surrender in WWII. The process took several years. During the project, Setser befriended a Japanese engineer and was eventually gifted this tanegashima by him. Documents enclosed with item include a commendation by the US Army for fine work in connection with supervising the Eighth Army Post Exchange Train, dated 25 November 1946. Also included are two photos of 2nd Lieutenant Ralph Setser receiving his commendation, as well as nine photos of train cars and depots. In addition to the photos, there are 14 hand drawn and painted drafts of the train conversions, along with their names.

About 51" x 4" overall. Includes three powderflasks and a portfolio.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Good. Bore is dark. Finish has mottled wear to bluing on barrel. Stock has cracks to forearm on both sides near muzzle, and light scratching overall. Action is functional.

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Arms, Armor & Militaria

Japanese Tanegashima Matchlock with Powderflasks and Portfolio with Provenance Related to US Army 2nd Lt. Ralph M. Setser

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