Albanian arnautka

[OsobistGB]

Dear colleagues,
I appeal to you with a request for clarification.
Our respected colleague rickystl showed great Albanian rifle with flint mechanism http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=23838
I have a similar but it is known to me as arnautka :shrug:
What is the difference between Albanian Tanchika and Albanian arnautka :confused:
Thanks in advance for any information

[kahnjar1]

Rick will probably post a reply here also, but in the meantime, the two terms seem to apply to a single style of gun.
Elgood in his book Arms of Greece and her Balkan Neighbours mainly uses the term "Arnautka" in the text describing the photos, but also in some cases uses the term "Arnautka or Tancica". Other authors (eg. Tirri) use the term "Tanchika".
As you will have noticed, the term "Tanchika" is mostly used here on the Forum to describe these guns.
Stu

[Kubur]

I confirm what was said previously.
Tançika is pronounced Tanchika
Arnautka is another name but it refers more and by extension to the mercenaries who use these guns: arnauts. Here two arnauts of course with their guns...

[rickystl]

Hi Osobist

That is a nice looking Tanchika/Arnautka. And typical of the style.

I agree with Stu and Kubur. Elgood and Tirri seem to use both terms interchangably to refer to the same gun. Possibly, the different terms could be used depending on where one is standing at the moment in Albania. :D

Kubur: OK, Arnauts. I did not know that. Thanks.

Interesting to note that while the decoration could vary, the general design/build of these muskets are almost identical.

Rick