Jezail Matchlock

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 · 14th December 2025, 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 · 14th December 2025, 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 · 14th December 2025, 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 · 15th December 2025, 07:52 PM

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

14th December 2025, 12:16 AM	#2
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 605	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

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13th December 2025, 10:20 PM	#1
Patterson25 Member Join Date: Oct 2025 Posts: 13	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.

14th December 2025, 01:11 PM	#3
Triple Jack Member Join Date: Dec 2025 Posts: 6	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

14th December 2025, 11:58 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,788	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!

15th December 2025, 07:52 PM	#5
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,820	Nice piece IMHO and appears to be complete and in "un played with" condition. Stu