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what is this gun??

stirrat
i purchased this flint lock from a customer at our shop. none of our regular gun experts seem to know what this is or what it is worth. we have guessed it is from the 1700's but really have no idea. there appears to be arabic writing on it. there are silver and ivory inlays with an ivory buttstock. if anyone has any info on what type of gun or age and value or any possible history we would appreciate it. the gun is about 6 feet long. thanks
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12 comments

Date Votes
  • Spider7115
    Well, it may be a nice Jazeel camel rifle or a "tourist special" made for unsuspecting sucker tourists in Afghanistan. We really need some good pictures. This thread shows you how to post them:

    http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=259294
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  • 1KYDSTR
    Surely looks like a Jezail to me. These are a very small area of collecting, but from the obvious heavy ornamentation, I think it would garner some attention in the collector cadre that really get into them. I would doubt that it is from the 1700's. These were made in the same form from around the late 1500's to the late 19th century. After the rest of the world had switched over to more modern ignition systems, the Afghans and that area of the world stuck to it. There were a number of British military accounts that claimed the Afghans were able to hit a human target with these things at ranges up to 600 meters...no mean feat for a flintlock! Heavy ornamentation was more or less the norm, but yours has ivory and coral inlays that appear to make it a ways up the food chain, although not a top end peice to be sure...some had ridiculous amounts of gold and silver inlay as well as Kofgari (sp?) surface treatment. The patina looks to be old and correct from what I see, although one needs to lay hands on these to be sure. You may wind up with someone like Greg Martin auctions to get a handle on this one! Someone else on the forum here DOUBTLESS knows more about these than I...look forward to hearing anyone elses take on the piece. Best, Bill

    EDIT #1: I stand corrected...the Jezail has a pronounced drop at the heel whereas the Morrocan/north african guns had the spade shape to them. Sorry for the confusion.
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  • rufe-snow
    It's a Moroccan Snaphaunce. It looks like the real mccoy, definitely not a tourist piece. Need to get a hands-on with a knowledgeable museum curator, or somebody similar who would have experience with something like this. The local gunshop and gunshow crowd, wouldn't have a clue unfortunately. The big Los Vegas antique gunshow is coming up in a couple of weeks. If at all possible try to take it there, it be your best bet for positively identifying and appraising it.

    EDIT #1, For S & G I just GOOGLED Moroccan Snaphaunce, bunch of stuff showed up including auction photos and prices realized.
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  • stirrat
    thanks for the info. unfortunately i am in florida and not getting to vegas soon. any idea at all on ballpark value for something like this? looking forward to learning more.


    scott
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  • rufe-snow
    quote:Originally posted by stirrat
    thanks for the info. unfortunately i am in florida and not getting to vegas soon. any idea at all on ballpark value for something like this? looking forward to learning more.


    scott


    Their custom made one of a kind type guns. Decoration, materials, workmanship, cosmetic condition, functionality, etc. etc. Would have a great baring on value. That's why you need a hands-on by a pro.

    Like I said on my previous post check some of the sites that GOOGLE brings up, for prices realized it might give a ballpark idea of it's value.
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  • huntsman53
    You might send an email the Gasiors at the Website using the link below. Kristopher Gasior and Kasia Matuszewska-Gasior deal with these kind of unique Flintlocks and should know what you have and possibly give you a value.

    http://www.collectiblefirearms.com/RiflesAntiqueFlintlock.html

    As stated, it appears to be from somewhere in North Africa, probably Morocco.
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  • Bill DeShivs
    It's not ivory, it's camel bone. Ivory doesn't have pores.
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  • stirrat
    thanks for the info. i will take your advice.


    scott
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  • babun
    That lock assembly mimics an very early 1700 Russian flint lock pistol. See page 10, illustration #10 in the book "The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Handguns" by A.B. Zhuk. Bob
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  • stirrat
    if anyone is interested i am getting rid of it
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  • rufe-snow
    quote:Originally posted by stirrat
    if anyone is interested i am getting rid of it



    Put it on the auction with lot of quality photos.
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  • Oso2142
    quote:Originally posted by stirrat
    if anyone is interested i am getting rid of it


    If the price is right... [;)]
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