Item:
ON7337

Original Ottoman Empire Brass Clad Miquelet Lock Jezail Musket from the Caucasus c.1800

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. The Jezail (sometimes Jezzail from the Arabic) is a simple, cost-efficient and typically handmade muzzle-loading long arm commonly used in the Middle East region in the past. These were all highly personalized, so no two were alike. They were often made with locally available locks, so it was common to see locks on these that were of varied origin.

Offered here is a most attractive and relatively unusual Miquelet Lock Jezail Musket. It comes from the late 18th or early 19th century Ottoman Empire, which enveloped most of the Middle East right across the top of North Africa, up to the Caspian Sea and west to include Greece and what we now know as Serbia, Albania etc. The center was of course what we now know as Turkey in Constantinople today known as Istanbul.

This particular weapon came from the Northern part of the Empire which could reach from Greece to southern Ukraine to the Caspian sea in the East. The lock is a MIQUELET developed in Spain and Italy in the 17th. century. The iron barrel is 46" in length and overall the weapon measure 60". The stock of wood is hardly visible at all, as it is covered in fretted out brass embossed and engraved sheeting, with a workmanship of truly great quality.

In all a very romantic long gun that were said be be very accurate despite being smooth bore. Even the Migulet lock mechanism works perfectly but this item is for DISPLAY ONLY and should not be fired.

Truly impressive and a great Display piece, probably 200 years old. Fully cleaned and ready to hang on the wall.

History of the Miquelet Lock:
Miquelet lock is a modern term used by collectors and curators, largely in the English-speaking world, for a type of firing mechanism used in muskets and pistols. It is a distinctive form of snaplock, originally as a flint-against-steel ignition form, once prevalent in Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Balkans, North Africa, Ottoman Empire and throughout Spain's colonies from the late 16th to the mid 19th centuries.

The term miquelet lock was not recorded until the 19th century, long after the appearance of the mechanism in the 16th century, and is of uncertain origin. One commonly held view is that it was coined by British troops in the Peninsular War to describe the style of musket used by the Miquelet (militia) that had been assigned to the Peninsular Army of the Duke of Wellington.

Specifications: 

Years of Manufacture: Circa 1800
Caliber: approx .63 inches
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 46 inches
Overall Length: 60 inches
Action: Miquelet Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.

  • This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey

    This product is available for international shipping.
  • Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Cash For Collectibles