oddity

Japanese made single shot percussion pistol,
an oddity -Yatate 矢立

grip cover opened showing hammer and compartment for percussion caps

hammer cocked showing piston

trigger with hole for trip wire

strange rifling

Japanese made single shot percussion pistol Yatate. A folding cover to hide hammer and piston, and it looks like a small club / truncheon, caliber is .35. The cover is made from brass. Barrel with grip and cover are engraved in Japanese style, Japanese inscription. The trigger with a hole for attaching a firing string. Over all length 8½". The function is good, fine condition.
Rare pistol    sold

thank you D. K. for your information,
History of the Yatate
http://www.stutler.cc/pens/yatate/index.html

>   I think that this gun was used for self defense.
>   Yatate means " handy writing implements"
>   In Japan and China, we used SUMI (black carbon ink : Chinese ink) and
>   FUDE (writing brush).
>   There is a hole in body, and keep cotton with Chinese ink in this hole.
>   And inside long nose, keep writing brush.
>   So ancient people can write a word and picture.