Fine early Malaysian Matchlock Gun

A very fine example of an early Malaysian matchlock gun of high quality design and workmanship. This example is of the lesser known style with the faceted butt stock and with decorated brass designs of fine sinuous quality.

Likely dating to the 18th - early 19th C. these snaphaunce guns were descendants of the earliest Portuguese matchlocks brought to South East Asia in the 16th C. and which spread like a wildfire through the warring nations in that period, with the Japanese being some of the first to adopt them, and which likely influenced these Malay Peninsular style matchlocks.

This example appears to be complete and is not missing any parts. The lock however, as can be imaged, is not functional due to the bronze not holding the correct tension after these many centuries.