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Musket info requested- Pictures available

Tpety
I'm looking for info on a musket I have. I know nothing of guns, so here are the basics: it has a dark wood flared butt that has inlaid bone designs. The bone shapes are circles and diamonds that are all burned with small circles as decoration. There are 28 bone inlays on the right side and 36 on the left with two long shapes for sights.It is about 48- 50 inches. It has a very heavy metal barrel with a wood half covering under it and 14 decorative metal bands holding them together. The trigger is covered by a metal strap that has stars imprinted on it. I cannot find any names or numbers. The hardware appears very old and the nails handmade. Any info?

I don't know how to add photos to the forum. Please advise. To request, please send me an email mark.mason@supervalu.com
Any info would be appreciated
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8 comments

Date Votes
  • mazo kid
    Without seeing a picture it is hard to pinpoint your musket. It does sound like something Arab tribesmen might have carried; they did decorate their guns with bone, mother of pearl, brass and silver inlays, etc. The flared butt was held under their arm, against their body. Emery

    "Well done is better than well said"
    Ben Franklin
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  • Iroquois Scout
    The Kid is right. About the only way to identify a piece like this is if you can post a picture. I also agree that this sounds like something from North Africa or the Mideast.
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  • Tpety
    I will try to post some pics soon. Where on this gun would I look for any names or markings?
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  • Iroquois Scout
    I would look for a maker's name on the lock or on the barrel. Now, haveing said that, many are not marked at all. Many had locks that were made in Spain and have the main spring on the outside of the lockplate and a huge hammer.
    There are two categorys of these muskets, one was made for the tourists and were peddled from one end of the Mediterranean to the other. These guns(?) are not worth much. On the other hand, if it really is a firearm and you can prove who made it, they can be worth a tidy sum.
    I am looking forward to seeing the photos.
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  • jakelin
    quote:Originally posted by Tpety
    I will try to post some pics soon. Where on this gun would I look for any names or markings?


    Photos are a definite help.
    As others have told you, these are found in an almost infinite variety. Most are flintlocks, but there are some that were converted to or made as percussion arms to start. No two are ever exactly alike- which is one of the charms of collecting them. Surprisingly, it was (in some remote areas still is!) one of the world's most commonly used firearms. They are found all over North Africa, up through Greece, Albania, Turkey, all the way up into Afganistan.
    They can range from the very cheap and vile to the very ornate.
    Click the link below and scroll down to "Oriental rifles" and you can look at some photos (click on the icons) and descriptions of a few representative specimens:

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



    John
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  • Tpety
    I don't know how to add photos to the forum. Please advise.
    To request, please send me an email mark.mason@supervalu.com
    Any info would be appreciated
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  • Contender Man
    I've sent him an email and if he sends me some pics I'll post them.

    If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!
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  • Contender Man
    Rcvd. some pics from Tpety will put them up as new posting as this one is about maxed out

    If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!
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