“Tanzutsu” Matchlock Pistols from Japan dated to the Edo Period, 1603-1868, on display at the Oriental Art Museum in Venice
While matchlocks were common in Japanese armies during the Edo period, pistols such as these were rarely used on the battlefield. There are some account of them being used in duels but due to the cost of making them it was mostly only samurai who used them. Likely from horseback as they would have proved an effective close quarters weapon.
Photographs taken by myself 2018
