Abu Futila

fernando · 2nd January 2017, 03:40 PM

Poinçon= Puncture, Punch ... the term used by the French, in the context, for inspection or maker marks

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Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 2nd January 2017, 08:37 PM

Another way of spooning in a charge of powder to the barrel was with a powder measure.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 3rd January 2017, 10:36 PM

A peculiar fact has emerged from ICOMAN in a report a while ago where it stated ~

Quote" Going into the history of small firearms, Dr Roads of Icoman said that no flintlock guns of any description seem to have been found in Oman. Documentary sources endorse the view that most tribes went from matchlock muskets (abu futilla) straight to breechloading rifled arms, usually the Martini Henry, though in some cases it may have been a quantum leap from matchlock to the .303 Lee Enfield.

“No pistols have been recorded except the Mauser (C96) 7.63 at the Bait al Zubair Museum and which belonged to the father of H E Mohammed al Zubair, although many were offered for sale in Muscat.

"For example the Mauser C96 was on sale for R74 (537bz) with 400 rounds thrown in - there were no fewer than 500 of these for sale. Personal armament was the musket or rifle plus sword and khanjar. Distribution of types today reflects, as one might expect, trading routes and trading ports and a strong conservatism.”

Turning to the matchlock abu futilla, he said it is hard to pinpoint the origin of these deeply fluted barrels with prominent poinçons (proofmarks). “Our quest for Portuguese examples of these early matchlocks has failed both in specimens and illustrations. So the legend that their very distinctive fluted barrels demonstrate a Portuguese origin remains exactly that.”

However, he added that the most striking fact is that these matchlocks with side plates resemble quite markedly some matchlocks from the Scinde, (the British spelling for the province of Sindh when they ruled it during 1850s). “With the Sea of Oman connections to Gwadar going back many centuries, it seems more likely that Scinde designs would be found on the Omani coast.”Unquote.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 3rd January 2017, 11:08 PM

See https://books.google.com.om/books?id...20oman&f=false since you may have wondered what was the make up of the Match material where it is described as Quote"soaked in saltpetre found in bat droppings.''Unquote.

Showing below for interest Two blown barrels at the breach...with about 10 inches of barrel left...and another type of powder flask made of Gazelle horn with silver mounts.From the Richardson and Dorr Omani Heritage publication.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 4th January 2017, 03:08 AM

What came out of the barrel when the gun went off is not what was put in there when it was loaded... Such was the pressure in ramming the bullet that it transformed more into a long solid pipe shaped bullet more like a modern bullet today...about half an inch long +.

In a further anecdote Burton spoke about the tell tale give away when using these weapons in an ambush such was the smoke generated as the match smouldered ....

These weapons gave a hefty kick and it follows that wolf was used both as a Talismanic and as a guard against the Butt catching fire and also used at the Butts end to absorb the recoil.

fernando · 4th January 2017, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

... In a further anecdote Burton spoke about the tell tale give away when using these weapons in an ambush such was the smoke generated as the match smouldered ....

As i already posted some time ago in a thread i don't recall, it was a fact that match cord smoke denounced contenders position; in such a way that determined local forces found it a strategy to keep loose match cord burning in a diverted place to drive the enemy in the wrong direction. The old article from where i have read this, had all signs of integrity.

FOUND IT :

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Jim McDougall · 4th January 2017, 06:11 PM

Pretty fascinating perspectives on warfare, as most anecdotal stories are typically from firsthand information rather than empirically gleaned material. It is always interesting to hear the often unique and innovative use of diversionary tricks used in warfare. This gives us the dimension to better imagine what these situations were like in the actual use of these weapons.

2nd January 2017, 08:37 PM	#2
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Another way of spooning in a charge of powder to the barrel was with a powder measure. Attached Images

3rd January 2017, 10:36 PM	#3
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	A peculiar fact has emerged from ICOMAN in a report a while ago where it stated ~ Quote" Going into the history of small firearms, Dr Roads of Icoman said that no flintlock guns of any description seem to have been found in Oman. Documentary sources endorse the view that most tribes went from matchlock muskets (abu futilla) straight to breechloading rifled arms, usually the Martini Henry, though in some cases it may have been a quantum leap from matchlock to the .303 Lee Enfield. “No pistols have been recorded except the Mauser (C96) 7.63 at the Bait al Zubair Museum and which belonged to the father of H E Mohammed al Zubair, although many were offered for sale in Muscat. "For example the Mauser C96 was on sale for R74 (537bz) with 400 rounds thrown in - there were no fewer than 500 of these for sale. Personal armament was the musket or rifle plus sword and khanjar. Distribution of types today reflects, as one might expect, trading routes and trading ports and a strong conservatism.” Turning to the matchlock abu futilla, he said it is hard to pinpoint the origin of these deeply fluted barrels with prominent poinçons (proofmarks). “Our quest for Portuguese examples of these early matchlocks has failed both in specimens and illustrations. So the legend that their very distinctive fluted barrels demonstrate a Portuguese origin remains exactly that.” However, he added that the most striking fact is that these matchlocks with side plates resemble quite markedly some matchlocks from the Scinde, (the British spelling for the province of Sindh when they ruled it during 1850s). “With the Sea of Oman connections to Gwadar going back many centuries, it seems more likely that Scinde designs would be found on the Omani coast.”Unquote. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 3rd January 2017 at 11:29 PM.

3rd January 2017, 11:08 PM	#4
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	See https://books.google.com.om/books?id...20oman&f=false since you may have wondered what was the make up of the Match material where it is described as Quote"soaked in saltpetre found in bat droppings.''Unquote. Showing below for interest Two blown barrels at the breach...with about 10 inches of barrel left...and another type of powder flask made of Gazelle horn with silver mounts.From the Richardson and Dorr Omani Heritage publication. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 3rd January 2017 at 11:43 PM.

2nd January 2017, 03:40 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Poinçon= Puncture, Punch ... the term used by the French, in the context, for inspection or maker marks .

4th January 2017, 03:08 AM	#5
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	What came out of the barrel when the gun went off is not what was put in there when it was loaded... Such was the pressure in ramming the bullet that it transformed more into a long solid pipe shaped bullet more like a modern bullet today...about half an inch long +. In a further anecdote Burton spoke about the tell tale give away when using these weapons in an ambush such was the smoke generated as the match smouldered .... These weapons gave a hefty kick and it follows that wolf was used both as a Talismanic and as a guard against the Butt catching fire and also used at the Butts end to absorb the recoil.

4th January 2017, 06:11 PM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Pretty fascinating perspectives on warfare, as most anecdotal stories are typically from firsthand information rather than empirically gleaned material. It is always interesting to hear the often unique and innovative use of diversionary tricks used in warfare. This gives us the dimension to better imagine what these situations were like in the actual use of these weapons.