4 matchlock guns for comment

Mefidk · 6th May 2012, 10:13 AM

Thanks for the info guys. Unfortunately I don't have the travel books, but I assume these were used from horseback. They are light by comparison to both the Afghan and Indian guns I have, and slightly shorter, although not carbine length.

The bore diameter of mine is 15mm, not the biggest of my examples by a long way (Sind example is 18mm), but more or less average I'd say.

Richard G · 6th May 2012, 02:29 PM

Hello,
I agree these guns are associated with Southern Arabia, the enlarged butt is the distinctive feature, but I do not think this necessarily means they were made there. There was much trade and many links with other countries around the Indian Ocean and in particular between the Hadhramaut and Southern India. Many arabs served as mercenaries in the Nizam of Hyderabad's army and there is a particular type of jambiya, often considered to be Yemeni but which I think might well be actually from Hyderabad. I think it quite probable that many of these guns may also have been made in Southern India or Hyderabad for sale to and use by these arabs.
As Colin mentions, Freya Stark's books have pictures of these guns in the Hadhramaut. Wilfred Thesiger's books have pictures of of them in the Tihama and Dhofur. I have also seen Martini-Henry's and Gras' with this type of butt. I have also seen a hybrid with the Indian type of butt David describes.
It would seem to me the decoration on the butts of the second pair of guns suggest more of the Indian influence.
I'm attaching a couple of pictures from the Thesiger collection in the Pitt-Rivers museum which I hope comes out.
The first is a Mahra couple in Dhofur, and the enlarged butt is clearly visible.
The second is a curiosity, It is from Abyan in the Yemen and seems to show a shackled prisoner, still wearing his jambiya!. As they all look remarkably jolly, perhaps it was simply a pose.
Regards
Richard

Cerjak · 6th May 2012, 06:53 PM

Thank you all for your contribution in this discussion ,very nice to see the picture from Richard
Hopping that more infos and pictures will come in this discussion...
Kind regards

Cerjak

6th May 2012, 02:29 PM	#2
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 411	Hello, I agree these guns are associated with Southern Arabia, the enlarged butt is the distinctive feature, but I do not think this necessarily means they were made there. There was much trade and many links with other countries around the Indian Ocean and in particular between the Hadhramaut and Southern India. Many arabs served as mercenaries in the Nizam of Hyderabad's army and there is a particular type of jambiya, often considered to be Yemeni but which I think might well be actually from Hyderabad. I think it quite probable that many of these guns may also have been made in Southern India or Hyderabad for sale to and use by these arabs. As Colin mentions, Freya Stark's books have pictures of these guns in the Hadhramaut. Wilfred Thesiger's books have pictures of of them in the Tihama and Dhofur. I have also seen Martini-Henry's and Gras' with this type of butt. I have also seen a hybrid with the Indian type of butt David describes. It would seem to me the decoration on the butts of the second pair of guns suggest more of the Indian influence. I'm attaching a couple of pictures from the Thesiger collection in the Pitt-Rivers museum which I hope comes out. The first is a Mahra couple in Dhofur, and the enlarged butt is clearly visible. The second is a curiosity, It is from Abyan in the Yemen and seems to show a shackled prisoner, still wearing his jambiya!. As they all look remarkably jolly, perhaps it was simply a pose. Regards Richard Attached Images

6th May 2012, 06:53 PM	#3
Cerjak Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: FRANCE Posts: 1,065	Thank you all Thank you all for your contribution in this discussion ,very nice to see the picture from Richard Hopping that more infos and pictures will come in this discussion... Kind regards Cerjak

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

6th May 2012, 10:13 AM	#1
Mefidk Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Denmark Posts: 157	Thanks for the info guys. Unfortunately I don't have the travel books, but I assume these were used from horseback. They are light by comparison to both the Afghan and Indian guns I have, and slightly shorter, although not carbine length. The bore diameter of mine is 15mm, not the biggest of my examples by a long way (Sind example is 18mm), but more or less average I'd say.