[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Pukka Bundook

Good morning Rick,

I believe Ibrahiim has shown pictures of some of these blown and shortened barrels, and the rear part has been turned into a short barrel of maybe 15 inches in length.
I think what Ibrahiim means by the first joint, is where the first ribbon of steel, (or the first tube, depending on how the barrel was constructed) is joined to the second barrel section.
This old manner of making barrels was often used in Spain, and was a very sound practice....they rarely blew apart in proof or afterwards.
The tubes were overlapped, and forge -welded in place.

If Ibrahiim could confirm this, it would help us see through this murky subject much better!
Re. breech-plugs;
In Manouchehr's very good articles on Persian arms in Classic Firearms, he says that in Persia, the screwed in breech-plug was not trusted, and that they much preferred a soldered(!) in plug, or one forge-welded in place.
I believe he also said that Western barrel imported into Persia, often had the threaded plug removed and one welded in instead. I think this will mean thet even though these Persian barrels have tangs, they will not normally be threaded in place.

Best wishes,
Richard.

Salaams Pukka Bundook ~ Sorry for the delay I was in Casablanca ! My couple examples of blown barrels are shown at http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showt...ight=Omani+Guns . I have another not shown...will try for a picture if it is still in my store,....of a blown example which was stuffed apparently with gunpowder and thrown in a fire by some children who then ran off...luckily as the entire barrel is blown apart ....I agree that the barrels I show are simply parted company with the rest of the barrel rather than blown off... Some people have used these short lengths as short barrels as examples of childrens guns or even as some sort of pistol arrangements ...completely wrongly in my view but it is amazing what people will buy !...Regarding the stamp...I believe these are makers stamps...and I also agree that the majority of barrels in Oman are of Persian make...though Icoman suggest there are also German variants...

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.