A very scarce Chinese firearm. Heavy weight piece, the barrel formidable and made with extremely thick walls, this can be seen at the barrel tip. The stock with red applied paint, and brass mounts, the front with a lug perhaps to take a swivel or mount of some kind. The firing mechanism is large and simple with an iron trigger hinged to a curved matchholder, bending to a broad rectangular pan with moving cover. A raised sight at the breech and sighting pin at the tip of the barrel. This gun retains a parchment attachment (worn, missing base) for storing and protecting the match cord. A very nice and rare example of a Qing Dynasty gun, 19th century. far eastern