Oriental musket with kabyle snaphaunce lock for id.

rickystl · 3rd October 2015, 12:41 AM

Hi Cerjak.
First of all, congratulations. That is definately one of the more interesting long guns I've seen. It's beautiful, interesting, and curious all at the same time. LOL.
I'm going to say it is Moroccan (likely), or possibly Algerian. The lock looks like locally made, copied from the English pattern of Snaphaunce. It would be worth removing the lock to see if there are any marks on back of the lock plate.
The camel bone inlay and circle decoration definately looks Moroccan. While the trigger looks Algerian. But as Kubur mentions, the trigger guard looks some what Sardinian, but shorter, and a bit wider.
But as you point out, the really unique feature is the Western/European style butt stock. It would be interesting to know how THICK the butt stock is? Is it thin? Or is it closer to 2" thick, similar to European guns ?
Unlike many of the guns that were made for general re-sale, I believe this gun was made exactly to a customer's specifications. The stock reminds me of the Bulgarian style long guns, made in the Balkans, with the stock decorated with pearl panels over most of the stock. But your's with a definate Moroccan design and lock.
A super interesting gun. And a beauty!!!! Would sure look good in my gun room. LOL

Rick.

Ivo · 3rd October 2015, 08:54 AM

The stock reminds me of the Bulgarian style long guns, made in the Balkans, with the stock decorated with pearl panels over most of the stock. But your's with a definate Moroccan design and lock.

Hello everybody ,
this is a really interesting musket but I do not think that reminds the typical Bulgarian musket / boyliya /

Regards,
Ivo

Cerjak · 3rd October 2015, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickystl

Hi Cerjak.
First of all, congratulations. That is definately one of the more interesting long guns I've seen. It's beautiful, interesting, and curious all at the same time. LOL.
I'm going to say it is Moroccan (likely), or possibly Algerian. The lock looks like locally made, copied from the English pattern of Snaphaunce. It would be worth removing the lock to see if there are any marks on back of the lock plate.
The camel bone inlay and circle decoration definately looks Moroccan. While the trigger looks Algerian. But as Kubur mentions, the trigger guard looks some what Sardinian, but shorter, and a bit wider.
But as you point out, the really unique feature is the Western/European style butt stock. It would be interesting to know how THICK the butt stock is? Is it thin? Or is it closer to 2" thick, similar to European guns ?
Unlike many of the guns that were made for general re-sale, I believe this gun was made exactly to a customer's specifications. The stock reminds me of the Bulgarian style long guns, made in the Balkans, with the stock decorated with pearl panels over most of the stock. But your's with a definate Moroccan design and lock.
A super interesting gun. And a beauty!!!! Would sure look good in my gun room. LOL

Rick.

Hi RICK
Thank you very much the good analyze you have made for this gun, as mentioned by Kubur it is definitely not a tourist gun but for as you wrote a weapon made on request.
Unfortunately I still don’t have received it so I will answer about thickness the butt stock .
About trigger guard ,I see some similarity with the Moroccan Taouzilt type from Ras el oued ( see Elgood Firearms of the Islamic world N°39.

Best

Cerjak

rickystl · 3rd October 2015, 04:31 PM

Hi Cerjak.
Yes, now that you mention it, the trigger guard and butt stock do resemble the Taouzilt style of long gun. Very observant of you. It appears that all the camel bone panels and other decoration is still intact, and looks to be in good condition. A super neat Moroccan gun. And please post some additional photos when you receive the gun!!!

Rick.

Kubur · 16th December 2016, 08:25 PM

Hi
I found another one, same shape.
Again very beautifull and looks functionnal.
Most probably Morocco very late 19th or early 20th.
Best,
Kubur

Battara · 17th December 2016, 03:51 AM

W

W!

What great examples!!!

rickystl · 17th December 2016, 06:31 PM

Another interesting feature I notice on Cerjak's gun is the longer front finial on the trigger guard. You don't usually see them this long on Moroccan long guns.
It seems the customer wanted a bit of Western influence with the shape of the butt stock and trigger guard. Most interesting piece you don't normally encounter.
Rick

rickystl · 17th December 2016, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kubur

Hi
I found another one, same shape.
Again very beautifull and looks functionnal.
Most probably Morocco very late 19th or early 20th.
Best,
Kubur

Hi Kubur.

WOW!!! Another beauty. This one has an Algerian style miquelet lock.

Rick

Kubur · 17th December 2016, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickystl

Hi Kubur.

WOW!!! Another beauty. This one has an Algerian style miquelet lock.

Rick

Hi Rick,
That's not mine! I just found the photos...
But i will post soon one new pistol!
Best

rickystl · 18th December 2016, 04:14 PM

Hi Kubur.

No. I realize that is just a photo. I wish it was yours......or better yet mine !! LOL !!

Please do post your pistol when you have a chance. By the way, my Torador is finished and on it's way to me. I'll post a final update next weekend.

Rick

3rd October 2015, 08:54 AM	#2
Ivo Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 38	The stock reminds me of the Bulgarian style long guns, made in the Balkans, with the stock decorated with pearl panels over most of the stock. But your's with a definate Moroccan design and lock. Hello everybody , this is a really interesting musket but I do not think that reminds the typical Bulgarian musket / boyliya / Regards, Ivo Attached Images

16th December 2016, 08:25 PM	#5
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Hi I found another one, same shape. Again very beautifull and looks functionnal. Most probably Morocco very late 19th or early 20th. Best, Kubur Attached Images

3rd October 2015, 12:41 AM	#1
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,633	Hi Cerjak. First of all, congratulations. That is definately one of the more interesting long guns I've seen. It's beautiful, interesting, and curious all at the same time. LOL. I'm going to say it is Moroccan (likely), or possibly Algerian. The lock looks like locally made, copied from the English pattern of Snaphaunce. It would be worth removing the lock to see if there are any marks on back of the lock plate. The camel bone inlay and circle decoration definately looks Moroccan. While the trigger looks Algerian. But as Kubur mentions, the trigger guard looks some what Sardinian, but shorter, and a bit wider. But as you point out, the really unique feature is the Western/European style butt stock. It would be interesting to know how THICK the butt stock is? Is it thin? Or is it closer to 2" thick, similar to European guns ? Unlike many of the guns that were made for general re-sale, I believe this gun was made exactly to a customer's specifications. The stock reminds me of the Bulgarian style long guns, made in the Balkans, with the stock decorated with pearl panels over most of the stock. But your's with a definate Moroccan design and lock. A super interesting gun. And a beauty!!!! Would sure look good in my gun room. LOL Rick.

3rd October 2015, 04:31 PM	#4
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,633	Hi Cerjak. Yes, now that you mention it, the trigger guard and butt stock do resemble the Taouzilt style of long gun. Very observant of you. It appears that all the camel bone panels and other decoration is still intact, and looks to be in good condition. A super neat Moroccan gun. And please post some additional photos when you receive the gun!!! Rick.

17th December 2016, 03:51 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,361	W W! What great examples!!!

17th December 2016, 06:31 PM	#7
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,633	Another interesting feature I notice on Cerjak's gun is the longer front finial on the trigger guard. You don't usually see them this long on Moroccan long guns. It seems the customer wanted a bit of Western influence with the shape of the butt stock and trigger guard. Most interesting piece you don't normally encounter. Rick

18th December 2016, 04:14 PM	#10
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,633	Hi Kubur. No. I realize that is just a photo. I wish it was yours......or better yet mine !! LOL !! Please do post your pistol when you have a chance. By the way, my Torador is finished and on it's way to me. I'll post a final update next weekend. Rick