Moukhala Rifle

[mjamerks]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

OK, I guess our gun experts are on vacation and nobody else wants to dance....I know little about guns, but decided to hit the books.

Apparantly these interesting Kabyle guns are termed the Kabyle miguelet or moukalla (these other terms such as miguelet etc.are apparantly often in dispute, but moukalla is the locally used term). While references claim that Italian locks were often supplied to the Kabyles (these guns were in use from the 17th century) it does appear this is a native version of the locks which I believe are termed an ajujeta lock (Arab toe lock). These are modified versions that are said to correspond loosely to the Ripoll (Catalonia) style miguelet locks.
These guns usually fired in about .67 cal. range, and usually had about up to twelve 'capucines' (silver bands) around the barrel.

While I was not yet able to discover the specifics on significance or meaning of the corals, it does seem that these were used extensively to decorate weapons and trappings with the Ottomans, who referred to this type of decoration as 'cezayir isi' (Elgood, p.76). Many flintlock pistols were made in France (St. Etienne) for export to Algeria with profusely applied coral decoration. The French Copmpagnie d'Afrique in Tunisia and eastern Algeria supplied the coral.

This looks like a splendid example of late 19th century moukhala, and likely served well in regions in Kabylia into the struggles there into the 20th century. The flintlock was often a favored weapon in remote tribal regions as they remained servicable where cartridge weapons supplies were often unobtainable.

The illustrations are an Ottoman hilt profuse with coral decoration and a Kabyle warrior of 19th c. with his moukalla and familiar flyssa. This example does not have the recognizable trumpet shaped butt however.

Thanks for this info Jim.

I was also wondering what the meaning is of all the red and black circles on the back of the ivory butt.
HIts?????

Rgds

Martin

[Jim McDougall]

Hi Martin,
Excellent reminder, forgot those! These are basically a solar oriented symbol that is well known ethnographically in many cultures, but is very well known in many Saharan regions. As seen here it is primarily used as motif, but is sometimes suggested as having either talismanic or other significance. It could be perceived in some cases as protection for the owner from the evil eye, but it is pretty hard to interpret that perspective.

Really a great gun!!!

All the best,
Jim