[[File:Indonesian matchlock 19th century.jpg|thumb|300x300px|19th century [[Indonesia]]n matchlock, this weapon is smaller and shorter than the Java arquebus, but with similar mechanism. ]]
'''Java arquebus''' refers to long-barreled early [[firearm]] from [[Nusantara (archipelago)|Indonesian archipelago]], dating back to the lastearly quarter of the 15th16th century. The weapon was used by local armies, albeit in low number compared to total fighting men,<ref>{{Cite book |editor-last=Tarling |editor-first=Nicholas |title=The Cambridge History of Southeast Asia: Volume One, From Early Times to c. 1800 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1992 |isbn=0521355052}}</ref>{{Rp|387}} before the arrival of [[Iberian Peninsula|Iberian]] explorers ([[Portuguese people|Portuguese]] and [[Spaniards]]) in the 16th century. In historical records, the weapon may be classified as [[arquebus]] or [[musket]].<ref group="Note">Musket originally refers to a heavier variant of the arquebus, capable of penetrating heavy armor (see Arnold, 2001, ''The Renaissance at War'', p. 75-78). Java arquebus is larger than ordinary arquebus and has good penetration ability.</ref>
== Etymology ==
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=== Java ===
The kingdom of [[Majapahit]] pioneered the use of the gunpowder-based weapon in the Nusantara archipelago. One account mentions the use of firearm in a battle against Giri forces circa 1500-15061500–1506:<ref>{{Cite book|last=De Graaf|first=Hermanus Johannes|title=Kerajaan-kerajaan Islam di Jawa|publisher=Temprint|year=1985|___location=Jakarta|pages=180}}</ref>
{{blockquote
|... ''wadya Majapahit ambedili, dene wadya Giri pada pating jengkelang ora kelar nadhahi tibaning mimis'' ...
