That makes sense, David.
Our big problem with all Indian arms, is that they tended to travel a lot, as war booty and later as trade items, so where a gun started out and where it was found and listed by say Lord Eggerton, can be two very different things.
Plus, since Eggerton's time, they can have shifted yet again, and no telling how many times!
As an example, I have a couple of matchlock barrels that fit the description in Eggerton as those found at Oude.
Now, Does that mean my barrels Come from Oude?
Or, bigger question;
Does this mean that those found at Oude by Eggerton were actually Made in that area, or does it mean merely that the barrels happened to be in Oude when he found them? (And made elsewhere?)
No, I am not trying to say it is hopeless trying to find where Indian arms come from, but we must not work off a false basis, and that means an awful lot of digging!
A very interesting arm in the OP....and well worth the digging!
Going back to my Oude barrels;
One of them had been very badly stocked up in Afghanistan, with saddle cappucines and all. Oude to the Afghan lands is quite a hike.
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