Middle eastern musket ID help

BlacksmithingWitch · 8th February 2017, 06:53 PM

First post here and its been a long time coming. I picked up this rifle at an antique show last fall and have been curious of it since, I got it for a price im alright with but id like to know more about it, possible age, origin etc, or if its just a fake. Its smooth bore with a flip sight which is my main concern it could be fake or the sight added later, however the barrel and cap lock are very pretty if it is. The item is at my parents house as of now so any further pictures than the ones i provide might be a while in coming. If anyone could help me decipher this thing I'd really appreciate it. (the wrap near the muzzle is a piece of cord to hold the metal cap at the end of the stock on, the tacks had wallowed out long ago and the gaffers tape that secured it when i bought it was not in any position to be put back after i removed it to examine the musket)
(edited so pictures will now hopefully appear)

Robert · 9th February 2017, 08:06 AM

BlacksmithingWitch, welcome to the forum. As this is your first posting here I must ask that you please download your photos directly to the forum as explained here; http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13631 After you have done this I am sure that the members here will be able to answers your questions on this piece.

Best,
Robert

BlacksmithingWitch · 9th February 2017, 05:54 PM

here we go, hopefully they'll appear now

kahnjar1 · 9th February 2017, 07:01 PM

Welcome to the Forum BlacksmithingWitch.
Very nice and interesting gun......the sling swivel and ladder sight suggest a military background with maybe some (later??) carving to the stock. The lock plate and barrel however do not appear to have a military origin, and show some nice decoration which looks to be very well done.
As to origin?.... well the "rosette" on the stock is found in Japan and India, and probably other places also, but design of this carving might just be coincidental.
You say you do not have the item to hand, but when you get a chance it could be worth removing the barrel to see if there are any Proof Marks present. If there are, then it is likely that (at least) the country of manufacture will be revealed.
Stu

BlacksmithingWitch · 9th February 2017, 10:23 PM

the front of the wooden stock has a metal cover that covers the last few inches of the stock and a few foreward onto the barrel, and by the coloration there was a band there thats become lost over the decades. there is a plate on the butt of the stock as well, engraved with similar decoration as the piece on the muzzle end of the stock and as the lock of the gun. The rosette made me think Japan also but I dont know what a smooth bore gun of caplock style would be doing in japan, much less how it is covered in middle eastern or indian looking motifs and gold inlay Its really a mystery to me but then again, thats why ive brought it to this forum

Martin Lubojacky · 10th February 2017, 07:25 AM

The rosettes on engraved additionally on such stocks were common in Anatolya, too.

8th February 2017, 06:53 PM	#1
BlacksmithingWitch Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 13	Middle eastern musket ID help First post here and its been a long time coming. I picked up this rifle at an antique show last fall and have been curious of it since, I got it for a price im alright with but id like to know more about it, possible age, origin etc, or if its just a fake. Its smooth bore with a flip sight which is my main concern it could be fake or the sight added later, however the barrel and cap lock are very pretty if it is. The item is at my parents house as of now so any further pictures than the ones i provide might be a while in coming. If anyone could help me decipher this thing I'd really appreciate it. (the wrap near the muzzle is a piece of cord to hold the metal cap at the end of the stock on, the tacks had wallowed out long ago and the gaffers tape that secured it when i bought it was not in any position to be put back after i removed it to examine the musket) (edited so pictures will now hopefully appear) Attached Images Last edited by BlacksmithingWitch; 9th February 2017 at 05:42 PM.

9th February 2017, 08:06 AM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	BlacksmithingWitch, welcome to the forum. As this is your first posting here I must ask that you please download your photos directly to the forum as explained here; http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13631 After you have done this I am sure that the members here will be able to answers your questions on this piece. Best, Robert

9th February 2017, 05:54 PM	#3
BlacksmithingWitch Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 13	here we go, hopefully they'll appear now

9th February 2017, 07:01 PM	#4
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,730	Welcome to the Forum BlacksmithingWitch. Very nice and interesting gun......the sling swivel and ladder sight suggest a military background with maybe some (later??) carving to the stock. The lock plate and barrel however do not appear to have a military origin, and show some nice decoration which looks to be very well done. As to origin?.... well the "rosette" on the stock is found in Japan and India, and probably other places also, but design of this carving might just be coincidental. You say you do not have the item to hand, but when you get a chance it could be worth removing the barrel to see if there are any Proof Marks present. If there are, then it is likely that (at least) the country of manufacture will be revealed. Stu

9th February 2017, 10:23 PM	#5
BlacksmithingWitch Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 13	the front of the wooden stock has a metal cover that covers the last few inches of the stock and a few foreward onto the barrel, and by the coloration there was a band there thats become lost over the decades. there is a plate on the butt of the stock as well, engraved with similar decoration as the piece on the muzzle end of the stock and as the lock of the gun. The rosette made me think Japan also but I dont know what a smooth bore gun of caplock style would be doing in japan, much less how it is covered in middle eastern or indian looking motifs and gold inlay Its really a mystery to me but then again, thats why ive brought it to this forum

10th February 2017, 07:25 AM	#6
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 836	The rosettes on engraved additionally on such stocks were common in Anatolya, too.