An Omani abu Fitila Matchlock gun for comment

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 1st June 2015, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cerjak

one more

Salaams I just need to slide in a few barrels as examples here...some are blown. It is interesting that Icoman see http://www.klm-mra.be/icomam/downloads/issue07.pdf appear to suggest a relationship with German barrels however I follow the Persia link. I throw in a picture of 3 Omani wooden powder flasks and a picture of tribals with abu futilla ...the one with the match..(Literal translation is Father of the Match). Added for good measure... is a shot...of the brass cases containing the barrel charge and wadd...which fit in a belt ...in the style of The Ottoman item. In addition various sketches of Omani tribal warriors with the weapon displayed. What I dont show here is the preferred use of skin ...wolf...around the butt probably with Talismanic properties.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 3rd June 2015, 02:32 PM

Another artwork addition...

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 10th June 2015, 05:13 PM

The tree from which the gunpowder was made and mixed with...Sodoms Apple...Roasted and mixed with sulphur etc... growing wild in my garden.

ward · 11th June 2015, 07:07 PM

Have you tried to make powder with this tree? Does it need large amounts of water to grow? I really am interested to know more about this. If it does not put up as much pressure as black powder it would explain how the stocks of a lot of these type of guns could be so fragile as compared to the European styles

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 11th June 2015, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

Have you tried to make powder with this tree? Does it need large amounts of water to grow? I really am interested to know more about this. If it does not put up as much pressure as black powder it would explain how the stocks of a lot of these type of guns could be so fragile as compared to the European styles

Salaams Ward, Yes it could prove interesting... The explosion at the breach end is a bit soft...but the problem is that this plant is very toxic... It is extremely poisonous... Typical for a poisonous plant it exudes a lot of milky sap...Even touching it is dodgey. It needs little water... being a desert plant...It has the annoying ability to send its roots way down deep....They are very difficult to get rid of. I believe the right terminology is that roasted the plant is ideal as a carrier for the rest of the concoction...The low tons per square inch at the breach may indeed be the reason for light Butts and Stocks.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

ward · 11th June 2015, 09:48 PM

I live in high desert. That is why I am asking. We have a tree similar in the way that it grows called Mesquite. A hard wood that you break up with a sledge hammer and has roots that go 50-100 feet. I will have to see if I can get some seeds and get it to grow.

3rd June 2015, 02:32 PM	#2
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Another artwork addition... Attached Images

10th June 2015, 05:13 PM	#3
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	The tree from which the gunpowder was made and mixed with...Sodoms Apple...Roasted and mixed with sulphur etc... growing wild in my garden. Attached Images

11th June 2015, 07:07 PM	#4
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	Have you tried to make powder with this tree? Does it need large amounts of water to grow? I really am interested to know more about this. If it does not put up as much pressure as black powder it would explain how the stocks of a lot of these type of guns could be so fragile as compared to the European styles Last edited by ward; 11th June 2015 at 07:09 PM. Reason: spelling mistake

11th June 2015, 09:48 PM	#6
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	I live in high desert. That is why I am asking. We have a tree similar in the way that it grows called Mesquite. A hard wood that you break up with a sledge hammer and has roots that go 50-100 feet. I will have to see if I can get some seeds and get it to grow.