WHERE IS THIS MATCHLOCK FROM?

rickystl · 2nd May 2015, 06:00 PM

Hi Stu.
Is that a flat iron/metal butt plate? I never really noticed till you just now brought this up. But you're right. The rear of the butt stock is not really done in Indian fashion. More Ottoman - but not. LOL I see the dilemma here. Hmmm. Also the length of the butt stock seems more a standard type length versus the extra long length of the Indian made stocks. I'm now wondering if the Indian made barrel was re-used sometime back in the period to make the current gun? Possibly another Region where the barrel was re-stocked to suite local tastes? Of course, I'm just speculating here. But you're right. I've never seen that style of butt stock on an all Indian made matchlock. Most curious.
Rick.

kahnjar1 · 2nd May 2015, 08:55 PM

Hi Rick,
The butt plate is flat iron fixed by two pins/nails. See pic, and sorry for a bit out of focus but you get the idea........
Stu

kahnjar1 · 4th May 2015, 08:29 PM

Any ideas gentlemen? Someone surely must have an opinion.............

David R · 6th May 2015, 12:13 AM

I would have a look at guns from the Caucasus, usually flint or miquelet locks I know but the stock shape seems right for the area.

kahnjar1 · 6th May 2015, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David R

I would have a look at guns from the Caucasus, usually flint or miquelet locks I know but the stock shape seems right for the area.

Hi David,
Yes I agree with your thoughts. Am almost 100% sure that India is NOT the origin, though the barrel decoration is very much the same as the other matchlock in the original post, which IS Indian.
My other thoughts were that it may be Indo/Arab but it is quite plain to be from that area. Usually these guns are silver decorated. As you say the stock shape generally resembles Caucasus or Ottoman. Hopefully there will be more replies to confirm your suggestion.
Stu

2nd May 2015, 08:55 PM	#2
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,799	Hi Rick, The butt plate is flat iron fixed by two pins/nails. See pic, and sorry for a bit out of focus but you get the idea........ Stu Attached Images

2nd May 2015, 06:00 PM	#1
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,633	Hi Stu. Is that a flat iron/metal butt plate? I never really noticed till you just now brought this up. But you're right. The rear of the butt stock is not really done in Indian fashion. More Ottoman - but not. LOL I see the dilemma here. Hmmm. Also the length of the butt stock seems more a standard type length versus the extra long length of the Indian made stocks. I'm now wondering if the Indian made barrel was re-used sometime back in the period to make the current gun? Possibly another Region where the barrel was re-stocked to suite local tastes? Of course, I'm just speculating here. But you're right. I've never seen that style of butt stock on an all Indian made matchlock. Most curious. Rick.

4th May 2015, 08:29 PM	#3
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,799	Any ideas gentlemen? Someone surely must have an opinion.............

6th May 2015, 12:13 AM	#4
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,123	I would have a look at guns from the Caucasus, usually flint or miquelet locks I know but the stock shape seems right for the area.