Jezail Matchlock

Triple Jack · 12th December 2025, 12:39 PM

see below

Triple Jack · 12th December 2025, 01:17 PM

Hi all,
I am new to the forum this being my first post please go easy on me! Sadly a relative of mine recently passed away. His widow advised me that he had a couple of “rifles” that I did not know about in the garage, these where purchased from an antique shop in London some 50 years ago. Having a keen interest in air rifles I offered to do some research for her so she at least knew what she had and can decide what to do with it. This is what has led me to this excellent forum. The wealth of knowledge is amazing. I had not heard of a Jezail musket until now and find myself intrigued by them. Given the size of my air rifle collection this could be a bad thing!

From my research on here the musket would appear to be a matchlock from the Sind region. There is a thread started by “Fernando” which contains a very similar musket. Hopefully you will find this post useful and any information that you could provide would be appreciated.

The musket had a light colouring of red rust since being stored in the garage. I have given the barrel and lock a light clean with WD40 and a scouring pad.

I understand that valuations are not permitted but correspondence via a private message is acceptable. I have scanned the net to get an idea of potential value but these appear to vary considerably.

Anyway I hope that you enjoy the photos.

Cheers Jack

RobT · 13th December 2025, 01:18 AM

Triple Jack,

I don't know much about firearms but that's a really nice rifle you have there. It's a caplock not a matchlock. The caplock was invented by Reverend Alexander John Forsyth in 1807. Your rifle may be older and the original matchlock may have been replaced by the far more efficient caplock.
DON'T use a scouring pad. You have a rather valuable antique. Contact a knowledgeable antique firearms restorer before you take any further action. Using WD40 to stabilize the rust is ok.

Sincerely,
RobT

Triple Jack · 13th December 2025, 01:48 AM

Hi Rob,
I have been eagerly awaiting a reply so many thanks for your input and advise which I will take onboard. I will do some research on the info that you have provided also investigate restoration experts in the UK.

Once again thanks for your input.

Cheers Jack

RobT · 13th December 2025, 04:55 AM

Triple Jack,

There are some very knowledgeable firearms people on this forum who can add much more to what I have told you. Hopefully, they will weigh in about your rifle. I would just stabilize the rust with WD40 for now and wait for their responses and compare that with any advice that you get from people you contact. It's always good to get a second opinion and even better if you can get a third, fourth or fifth. You have an exceptional piece in exceptional condition. it deserves the best.

Sincerely,
RobT

corrado26 · 13th December 2025, 08:28 AM

The rifle is not as old as expected: the barrel probably comes from a British M 1853 Enfield rifle and the percussion lock is certainly not older. But that doesn't change the fact that this is a really nice example of a Sind rifle

Norman McCormick · 13th December 2025, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corrado26

The rifle is not as old as expected: the barrel probably comes from a British M 1853 Enfield rifle and the percussion lock is certainly not older. But that doesn't change the fact that this is a really nice example of a Sind rifle

Hi,
Definitely not an Enfield barrel.
Regards,
Norman.

Jim McDougall · 13th December 2025, 03:26 PM

Welcome Triple Jack, and thank you for your courteous entry here, as well as being attentive to the 'rules' which are intended simply to prevent issues.
There is indeed a great core of knowledge here, which is dynamic as we all learn together by sharing information and experience. Many are more specialized in certain areas, so that is most helpful.

On that note, you mention air rifles, honestly I know even less on those than I do on regular firearms

so it might be good to see examples of these. It may sound silly, but these are the weapon form not BB guns correct? I know there were some type of guns using compressed air? even in Napoleonic times (an obscure article I saw).

Fernando was our Lead Moderator, who sadly passed away last year, and is deeply missed. He was an intent researcher and contributor on many topics especially when his interest was piqued in a specific area.

As has been noted by some of the guys here who know firearms well, the style of this example is typically regarded as from Sind regions, which are wide desert areas just below Afghanistan. These forms of course diffused widely with tribal interaction and trade of course extending into areas in Afghanistan. There are craftsmen who have assembled firearms faithfully for many generations, using components at hand, often from very old muskets and various firearms.

As noted, this example, like many of the guns out of these regions, is inherently valuable both ethnographically and historically. Its character suggests it was indeed a 'working' weapon. and its provenance from a shop in London suggests it may well have been an early souvenir from the notable British presence there from 1880s well into 20th c.

While often these guns were made to be sold as souvenirs though using genuine old components, many found as souvenirs came out of actual tribal use, as in my opinion this one may well have been. The key is to check the components, and viability such as alignment of touch hole and pan.

Old barrels from surplus guns were ubiquitous. The unusual star type rifling seems unusual.....what sort of round would be used is curious so I hope those with this knowledge might describe. The M1853 Enfield is noted, and these were popular in Afghan regions. The percussion (caplock) lock is from that period until I think c. 1880s?

Important note......conservation, not restoration on antique arms, just WD40 to stabilize and clean. Overcleaning destroys value.

Again, welcome and thank you for posting this,
Jim

Patterson25 · 13th December 2025, 10:20 PM

Hi,
I have one like that.
Your barrel and lock are locals, and very common on most of these guns.
Probably from Thatta or Hyderabad.
These guns are from mid to late 19th c.
They are not very expensive as you can find many of them.

RobT · Yesterday, 12:16 AM

Patterson25,

When I see the prices of antique firearms, I am glad that I collect (non Japanese) antique knives and swords. I think in this case, defining "not very expensive" is an entirely relative assessment based on an individual's economic wherewithal and willingness to part with same.

Sincerely,
RobT

Triple Jack · Yesterday, 01:11 PM

Thank you all for your replies.

Tom,
My airguns are relatively modern, the earliest being circa 1896. These all fire lead pellets, so similar to BBs. Mine are all spring powered. However the earlier air weapons used compressed gas. In some this was achieved by use of a bellows system.

The oldest known air rifle is a bellows-powered mechanical airgun from around 1580, housed in Sweden's Livrustkammaren (Royal Armoury) museum. This early device, used by royalty and the wealthy for hunting large game, represents the first known use of pressurized gas technology, predating more famous models like the Girandoni air rifle used by Lewis and Clark in the 1800s, which was a significant advancement in pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) airguns.

There are a number of interesting videos on You Tube about the Girandoni which are well worth viewing.

Cheers Jack

Jim McDougall · Yesterday, 11:58 PM

I had no idea Lewis & Clark had such a gun! This is most interesting and it seems there was an article on the air gun in "Art, Arms and Armor" Ed. Robert Held, 1980, but cannot recall title and book not handy at the moment.

While these bring to mind the trusty BB guns (I'll never forget my 'Daisy') which are of course not 'weapons' per se' in the scope here, it is interesting that compressed air was indeed on occasion a means of propulsion.

The note on 'values' as far as toward antique arms is of course very relative!
With most ethnographic arms there is a notable range of values with those found in various venues. Old is not necessarily valuable if there is notable presence in offerings, and condition is a factor when collectors are seeking good representation in their groupings.
I am more historian, and well worn examples untouched are more interesting and hold various perspectives in their overall character.

These are most attractive guns, and interesting...good thing they are affordable, as I perceive aligned with my own budget!

kahnjar1 · Today, 07:52 PM

Nice piece IMHO and appears to be complete and in "un played with" condition.
Stu

12th December 2025, 12:39 PM	#1
Triple Jack Member Join Date: Dec 2025 Posts: 4	Jezail Matchlock see below Last edited by Lee; 12th December 2025 at 09:22 PM. Reason: partial, repeated below

12th December 2025, 01:17 PM	#2
Triple Jack Member Join Date: Dec 2025 Posts: 4	Jezail Matchlock Hi all, I am new to the forum this being my first post please go easy on me! Sadly a relative of mine recently passed away. His widow advised me that he had a couple of “rifles” that I did not know about in the garage, these where purchased from an antique shop in London some 50 years ago. Having a keen interest in air rifles I offered to do some research for her so she at least knew what she had and can decide what to do with it. This is what has led me to this excellent forum. The wealth of knowledge is amazing. I had not heard of a Jezail musket until now and find myself intrigued by them. Given the size of my air rifle collection this could be a bad thing! From my research on here the musket would appear to be a matchlock from the Sind region. There is a thread started by “Fernando” which contains a very similar musket. Hopefully you will find this post useful and any information that you could provide would be appreciated. The musket had a light colouring of red rust since being stored in the garage. I have given the barrel and lock a light clean with WD40 and a scouring pad. I understand that valuations are not permitted but correspondence via a private message is acceptable. I have scanned the net to get an idea of potential value but these appear to vary considerably. Anyway I hope that you enjoy the photos. Cheers Jack Attached Images

13th December 2025, 01:18 AM	#3
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 594	Caplock, No Scouring Pad Triple Jack, I don't know much about firearms but that's a really nice rifle you have there. It's a caplock not a matchlock. The caplock was invented by Reverend Alexander John Forsyth in 1807. Your rifle may be older and the original matchlock may have been replaced by the far more efficient caplock. DON'T use a scouring pad. You have a rather valuable antique. Contact a knowledgeable antique firearms restorer before you take any further action. Using WD40 to stabilize the rust is ok. Sincerely, RobT

13th December 2025, 04:55 AM	#5
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 594	Forum Input Triple Jack, There are some very knowledgeable firearms people on this forum who can add much more to what I have told you. Hopefully, they will weigh in about your rifle. I would just stabilize the rust with WD40 for now and wait for their responses and compare that with any advice that you get from people you contact. It's always good to get a second opinion and even better if you can get a third, fourth or fifth. You have an exceptional piece in exceptional condition. it deserves the best. Sincerely, RobT

13th December 2025, 03:26 PM	#8
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,730	Welcome Triple Jack, and thank you for your courteous entry here, as well as being attentive to the 'rules' which are intended simply to prevent issues. There is indeed a great core of knowledge here, which is dynamic as we all learn together by sharing information and experience. Many are more specialized in certain areas, so that is most helpful. On that note, you mention air rifles, honestly I know even less on those than I do on regular firearms so it might be good to see examples of these. It may sound silly, but these are the weapon form not BB guns correct? I know there were some type of guns using compressed air? even in Napoleonic times (an obscure article I saw). Fernando was our Lead Moderator, who sadly passed away last year, and is deeply missed. He was an intent researcher and contributor on many topics especially when his interest was piqued in a specific area. As has been noted by some of the guys here who know firearms well, the style of this example is typically regarded as from Sind regions, which are wide desert areas just below Afghanistan. These forms of course diffused widely with tribal interaction and trade of course extending into areas in Afghanistan. There are craftsmen who have assembled firearms faithfully for many generations, using components at hand, often from very old muskets and various firearms. As noted, this example, like many of the guns out of these regions, is inherently valuable both ethnographically and historically. Its character suggests it was indeed a 'working' weapon. and its provenance from a shop in London suggests it may well have been an early souvenir from the notable British presence there from 1880s well into 20th c. While often these guns were made to be sold as souvenirs though using genuine old components, many found as souvenirs came out of actual tribal use, as in my opinion this one may well have been. The key is to check the components, and viability such as alignment of touch hole and pan. Old barrels from surplus guns were ubiquitous. The unusual star type rifling seems unusual.....what sort of round would be used is curious so I hope those with this knowledge might describe. The M1853 Enfield is noted, and these were popular in Afghan regions. The percussion (caplock) lock is from that period until I think c. 1880s? Important note......conservation, not restoration on antique arms, just WD40 to stabilize and clean. Overcleaning destroys value. Again, welcome and thank you for posting this, Jim Attached Images

13th December 2025, 01:48 AM	#4
Triple Jack Member Join Date: Dec 2025 Posts: 4	Hi Rob, I have been eagerly awaiting a reply so many thanks for your input and advise which I will take onboard. I will do some research on the info that you have provided also investigate restoration experts in the UK. Once again thanks for your input. Cheers Jack

13th December 2025, 08:28 AM	#6
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,251	The rifle is not as old as expected: the barrel probably comes from a British M 1853 Enfield rifle and the percussion lock is certainly not older. But that doesn't change the fact that this is a really nice example of a Sind rifle

13th December 2025, 10:20 PM	#9
Patterson25 Member Join Date: Oct 2025 Posts: 9	Hi, I have one like that. Your barrel and lock are locals, and very common on most of these guns. Probably from Thatta or Hyderabad. These guns are from mid to late 19th c. They are not very expensive as you can find many of them.

Yesterday, 12:16 AM	#10
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 594	Not Expensive to Whom? Patterson25, When I see the prices of antique firearms, I am glad that I collect (non Japanese) antique knives and swords. I think in this case, defining "not very expensive" is an entirely relative assessment based on an individual's economic wherewithal and willingness to part with same. Sincerely, RobT

Yesterday, 01:11 PM	#11
Triple Jack Member Join Date: Dec 2025 Posts: 4	Thank you all for your replies. Tom, My airguns are relatively modern, the earliest being circa 1896. These all fire lead pellets, so similar to BBs. Mine are all spring powered. However the earlier air weapons used compressed gas. In some this was achieved by use of a bellows system. The oldest known air rifle is a bellows-powered mechanical airgun from around 1580, housed in Sweden's Livrustkammaren (Royal Armoury) museum. This early device, used by royalty and the wealthy for hunting large game, represents the first known use of pressurized gas technology, predating more famous models like the Girandoni air rifle used by Lewis and Clark in the 1800s, which was a significant advancement in pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) airguns. There are a number of interesting videos on You Tube about the Girandoni which are well worth viewing. Cheers Jack

Yesterday, 11:58 PM	#12
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,730	I had no idea Lewis & Clark had such a gun! This is most interesting and it seems there was an article on the air gun in "Art, Arms and Armor" Ed. Robert Held, 1980, but cannot recall title and book not handy at the moment. While these bring to mind the trusty BB guns (I'll never forget my 'Daisy') which are of course not 'weapons' per se' in the scope here, it is interesting that compressed air was indeed on occasion a means of propulsion. The note on 'values' as far as toward antique arms is of course very relative! With most ethnographic arms there is a notable range of values with those found in various venues. Old is not necessarily valuable if there is notable presence in offerings, and condition is a factor when collectors are seeking good representation in their groupings. I am more historian, and well worn examples untouched are more interesting and hold various perspectives in their overall character. These are most attractive guns, and interesting...good thing they are affordable, as I perceive aligned with my own budget!

Today, 07:52 PM	#13
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,818	Nice piece IMHO and appears to be complete and in "un played with" condition. Stu