地域観光資源の 多言語解説文データベース

Matchlock Mechanisms

Many of the earliest guns had very simple designs. They were fired by applying a flame directly to the gunpowder inside, typically through a small hole in the back of the barrel. This method was fine for stationary cannons but awkward for handheld weapons. Matchlocks made aiming and shooting easier through the addition of a spring-loaded arm called a “serpentine.” The serpentine held a lit match cord; when the gunner pulled the trigger, the arm snapped forward and ignited a pan of priming powder. The flash set off the main gunpowder charge inside the barrel and fired the gun.

There are many variations on the basic matchlock design, and Japanese gunsmiths introduced their own innovations. As with many technologies, more complex versions had more features but could be expensive and difficult to maintain.

火繩槍的構造

早期的槍械通常都在槍管尾部留出一個小孔，透過它直接點燃槍膛內的火藥，完成擊發，結構相對簡單。這種方式適用於固定不動的加農炮，對於手持武器卻非常不便。

火繩槍透過被稱為「蛇杆」的S型簧板完成擊發，便於火槍手瞄準和射擊。它的具體原理是將點燃的火繩卡在蛇杆上，扣動扳機，簧板向前彈出，點燃引火藥池，進而點燃槍管中的主火藥，推動子彈射出。

後來，原始火繩槍設計衍生出了許多新技術，日本的槍械工匠也開始獨立創新。和許多技術一樣，複雜的構造能夠帶來更多的功能，但也導致成本與保養難度提升。

火绳枪的构造

早期的枪械大多构造简单，通常都在枪管尾部留出一个小孔，通过它直接点燃枪膛内的火药，完成击发。这种方式适用于固定不动的加农炮，对于手持武器却非常不便。

火绳枪通过被称为“蛇杆”的S型簧板完成击发，便于火枪手瞄准和射击。其具体原理是将点燃的火绳卡在蛇杆上，扣动扳机，簧板向前弹出，点燃引火药池，进而点燃枪管中的主火药，推动子弹射出。

后来，原始火绳枪设计衍生出了许多新技术，日本的枪械工匠也开始独立创新。和众多技术一样，复杂的构造能够带来更多的功能，但也导致成本与维护难度的提升。